84% matchFilling Pieces
Minimal leather low-tops with a fashion-forward edge
What changes: Higher price and broader apparel range, more design-led than clean-basic
Brand profile
Greats Shoes
Brooklyn sneaker brand selling minimal Italian-made leather styles direct-to-consumer; owned by Unified Commerce Group since 2024.
BrooklynOrigin
UnisexFocus
Minimalist / ContemporaryStyle
$$Price
4 brands like Greats Shoes like Filling Pieces, VEJA, DiVERGE →
What to know about Greats Shoes
Designer sneaker construction, no wholesale markup
Founded in 2014 as a direct-to-consumer answer to designer footwear, selling Italian-made leather sneakers at lower prices by cutting out retailers.
The Royale is the anchor
The line centers on a few low-top silhouettes — Royale, Bab and Reign — mostly plain white, black or suede leather uppers rather than seasonal designs.
Ownership has changed twice
Steve Madden acquired the brand in 2019 and sold its assets to Unified Commerce Group in 2024; sales still run mainly through greats.com.
How Greats Shoes fits
Overall fit
true to size
Most wearers find Greats sneakers fit true to size, with the Italian leather uppers softening and molding to the foot after a short break-in.
Tip: Order your usual sneaker size; wide-footed wearers may prefer a half size up.
Medium confidence · based on 15 sources
By category
| Category | Runs | Shape | Size advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sneakers | true to size | medium width with a standard toe box; can feel slightly narrow for wide feet | Take your normal size; if you're between sizes or have wide feet, go up a half size as the leather does stretch a bit with wear. |
Directional fit consensus summarized from public sources with AI — a starting point, not a guarantee. Confirm with the product's own measurements before buying.
If you like Greats Shoes
84% match
80% matchVEJA
Same clean low-top silhouette, sustainability-first sourcing
What changes: Brazilian eco-materials and visible logo rather than Italian minimalism
78% matchDiVERGE
European-made leather sneakers sold direct, made to order
What changes: Customisation and small-batch waits instead of stocked core styles
73% matchCariuma
DTC pricing play on simple canvas and leather lows
What changes: Canvas/skate-leaning and eco positioning over Italian leather
Greats Shoes fit questions
Does Greats Shoes run big or small?
Greats Shoes fits true to size. Order your usual sneaker size; wide-footed wearers may prefer a half size up. Most wearers find Greats sneakers fit true to size, with the Italian leather uppers softening and molding to the foot after a short break-in.
How does Greats Shoes fit?
Most wearers find Greats sneakers fit true to size, with the Italian leather uppers softening and molding to the foot after a short break-in. Overall shape: medium width with a standard toe box, though some styles feel slightly snug across the forefoot.
How do Greats Shoes sneakers fit?
Greats Shoes sneakers fits true to size. Take your normal size; if you're between sizes or have wide feet, go up a half size as the leather does stretch a bit with wear. Shape: medium width with a standard toe box; can feel slightly narrow for wide feet.
Brand facts
Greats is a Brooklyn-founded sneaker label started in 2014 by Ryan Babenzien and Jon Buscemi as a direct-to-consumer alternative to designer footwear, selling Italian-made leather sneakers at lower prices by skipping wholesale. Core styles include the Royale low-top, the Bab and the Reign, mostly in minimal white, black and suede leather uppers. Steve Madden bought the brand in August 2019, then sold all Greats assets to Unified Commerce Group in August 2024, retaining a stake in UCG. Sales run mainly through greats.com.
- Founded
- 2014
- Origin
- Brooklyn, United States
- Made in
- Italy
- Price
- $$
- Focus
- Unisex
- Facts checked
- August 2026
- Styles
- Minimalist / Contemporary, Streetwear