Ask any die-hard soccer (or more appropriately, football) fan in Europe about the best shoe brand, and they’ll probably mention Pantofola d’Oro. For over a century, the company—which was founded by Lazzarini family in Ascoli Piceno, Italy in 1886—has steadily amassed a first-rate reputation in the sport, outfitting stars of the past in some of the most stylish and wearable cleats.
According to the biography on its website, the legendary Welsh player John Charles dubbed them “golden slippers”—a term that the firm adopted (pantofola d’oro is the literal translation) to bolster its cultural cachet. And for decades, Pantofola d’Oro was running strong on this milestone, along with the quality of its leathers and craftsmanship.
