Thanks to the synthesis between archive and vision, two new models are born, Epica and Mitica, which will be distributed in a selected number of points of sale.
For over a hundred years, Valsport has been chronicling the evolution of the world of sports footwear. Founded in 1020 in Padua by Antonio Valle, the brand that dressed the feet of José Altafini, Gigi Riva and Fabio Capello, just to name a few, has built a coherent path between sport and urban throughout its history. And for summer 2026 the focus is on two new models, Epica and Mitica, which redesign the heritage, intercepting the needs of a selective market. Distributed through a selected number of points of sale, the capsule underlines the retail vocation and identity of the brand, as CEO Siro Toniolo explains in this interview.
Question: Valsport is among the oldest sports brands in Europe: how did 2025 go? What are the prospects for 2026?
Answer: 2025 ended substantially in line with the previous year, recording a slight decline compared to 2024. However, this is a figure that we read within a general market context that is in the process of settling after the years of strong growth in the sneaker sector. Looking to 2026, however, we are confident that the market will return to rewarding products with a strong identity, characterized by quality, authenticity and artisanal content: values that have always distinguished Valsport. Precisely for this reason we look to next year with moderate optimism, also thanks to the opening and strengthening of new international markets in which we intend to invest more decisively.
Q: Today the sneaker world is experiencing a phase of normalization after the boom of recent years: how can we remain relevant in this context?
A: In a more selective market phase, we believe the key to remaining relevant is to continue investing in product quality and brand consistency. For Valsport it means preserving and enhancing our heritage of craftsmanship, working with quality materials and maintaining an almost sartorial attention to detail. At the same time, the relationship with our commercial partners remains central: the service and constant dialogue with B2B customers, as well as the management of direct B2C requests, represent a fundamental element of our strategy. Finally, it is essential to continue to talk about the product through effective communication, both offline and online, strengthening our presence in international markets and further consolidating the Italian market.
Q: Epica and Mitica follow Tournament and Davis: how were they born?
A: For Valsport the archive represents a precious resource and a fundamental part of our DNA. It is not only a source of creative inspiration, but also a real school of product design and construction. The new models are born precisely from this constant dialogue between past and present: starting from historical silhouettes and technical solutions, we select the most interesting elements and reinterpret them in light of the aesthetic sensitivities and needs of the contemporary market. Epica and Mitica fit exactly into this path, continuing the work begun with models such as Tournament and Davis and translating the brand’s heritage into a current proposal consistent with current trends.
