Novesta

Novesta makes vulcanized canvas sneakers in Partizánske, Slovakia, in a factory founded in 1939 by shoemaker Jan Antonín Baťa; the label itself dates to 1992. Its core model, the Star Master, pairs cotton canvas with a natural-rubber tyre-tread sole, alongside the Marathon runner, military-style trainers and rubber boots. Shoes are still assembled and hand-finished at the original plant. Affiliated manufacturer Vulkan Partizánske a.s. — formerly named Novesta a.s. — entered bankruptcy proceedings after a French client worth roughly 40% of revenue restructured.