It all started with a simple observation. Back in 2015, our founder, Sarah, was training for her first marathon when she realized something: most footwear either prioritized performance or style—rarely both. "Why can't we have shoes that make you feel confident and keep up with your active lifestyle?" she wondered. That frustration sparked an idea, and after months of prototyping (and countless blisters), Stride Footwear was born.
Honestly, we didn’t expect how much this would resonate. But when Emily, a nurse from Chicago, emailed us saying, "Your shoes got me through 12-hour shifts without aching feet—and I still got compliments at brunch!"—we knew we were onto something.
At Stride, we’re obsessed with the in-between moments. That quick dash to catch the subway? The spontaneous hike after work? Your feet deserve to move effortlessly from one part of your life to another. We design for real people who refuse to compromise—whether that’s on comfort, durability, or looking sharp.
Let’s be real—footwear shouldn’t require a "breaking-in" period or leave you wincing by noon. After hearing one too many stories about shoes gathering dust ("too stiff," "rubbed my heels raw"), we set out to create footwear that works from the first step. Our testing process? Brutal. We’ve had prototypes run through mud, city streets, even dance floors—because if they can’t keep up with your life, what’s the point?
Take Mark, a teacher from Texas: "I’ve worn your sneakers for 8 months straight—through recess duty, grocery runs, and my kid’s soccer games. They still look new." That’s the standard we hold ourselves to.
We’re inspired by hybrid lifestyles. The barista who bikes to work. The executive who power-walks during calls. Our collections blend technical features with subtle details—because performance doesn’t have to scream. (Though we do love a bold color option!)
Fun fact: Our best-selling sole design was inspired by tree roots—seriously! After studying how roots stabilize trees without restricting growth, we engineered a flexible yet supportive base. Nature’s been at this longer than we have, right?
At the end of the day, we’re here to prove that you can have it all: shoes that perform, endure, and make you glance down with a little pride. Because every step counts—make yours unstoppable.
