Our Story

Collage showing a tennis player shoeprint and K Swiss sneakers

CALIFORNIA CLASSIC™

From the beginning, K-Swiss has been driven by an entrepreneurial spirit when two Swiss brothers moved to California to create a footwear brand focused on tennis. As avid skiers, the brothers took inspiration from leather ski boots to create a supportive, leather tennis shoe. Introduced in 1966, the K-Swiss Classic was the world’s first all-leather tennis shoe.

a woman walking down concrete stairs in a tennis inspired outfit wearing green K-Swiss sneakers

CALIFORNIA CLASSIC™

Two images: Larger image of K-Swiss classic white sneakers on two tennis rackets and a green bench; smaller image of a K-Swiss shoeprint on a clay floor

55 YEARS OF AMERICAN TENNIS

Building from its heritage as an American tennis brand and writing new chapters in its storied history, K-Swiss pays homage to the hard work of our founders and the competitive nature of the game that inspired it all. We are dedicated to inspiring the next generation and injecting that same inspiration and energy into our sport and lifestyle products.

Person sitting by a poolside wearing sunglasses and casual clothing.

OUR HERITAGE

55 YEARS OF AMERICAN TENNIS

1966

Two Swiss brothers move to California and take inspiration from leather ski boots to create the world’s first all-leather tennis shoe. The K-Swiss Classic debuts just in time for the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
1970

The style and function of the iconic K-Swiss Classic makes it a staple on and off the courts.
1986

20 years after the company’s founding, K-Swiss debuts its second ever style: the Gstaad.
1991

K-Swiss opens distribution in the UK and Europe for the first time.
2000

The Classic shoe gets its first makeover with the Classic LX, offering a thicker sole and a more refined silhouette.
2010

K-Swiss introduces Tubes, a new style with patented technology that consists of a dynamic tubular structures that cushion and support the foot.
2022

K-Swiss announces a global, multi-year partnership with McLaren F1 Racing.

1 7 7

Our VALUES

COMMITTED

What we start, we finish. We know what we are going after and settle for nothing less.
OUR VALUES

PASSIONATE

There’s heart in what we do. We bring energy and spark into everything.
‎
OUR VALUES

REAL

No nonsense, just us. We are honest with ourselves about who we are and what we have to offer.
OUR VALUES

INVITING

Everyone has a voice. By making space for everyone’s knowledge, we invest in our ability to evolve and grow stronger.
OUR VALUES

BELIEVERS

Potential inspires us. We are firm in our vision of the future, and we trust in our ability to get there.