Santoni’s Dress Shoes Go the Distance in NYC Marathon

Italian footwear brand Santoni recently showcased its lightweight Easy shoe collection during the New York City Marathon weekend. To highlight the durability and comfort of its dress shoes, the company had three athletes run the marathon in its Easy Run lace-ups.

According to executive chairman Giuseppe Santoni, the idea was to do something unexpected and "out of the box" to demonstrate the quality of their shoes. He told FN that the goal was not to enter the training or running shoe market, but to prove that their shoes are so well-made that they can withstand a marathon.

The Santoni Easy Run lace-ups weigh just 295 grams and feature a unique rubber sole density. Giuseppe Santoni states that these features make them among the softest and lightest leather shoes available. The design also includes the brand's signature Arancio Santoni Sigillo stitching, an invisible elastic system, a perforated nappa leather lining, memory foam insoles, and a full Arancio Santoni sole.

Santoni also opened a two-day pop-up in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, showcasing the Easy shoe collection and other bestsellers. The brand also staged flash mobs and traveling performances around New York City, with performers dressed in formal wear and Santoni Easy Run shoes, emphasizing the collection's "philosophy of freedom and movement."

This is a clever way to demonstrate the comfort of a dress shoe. It makes you wonder if your own everyday shoes could handle a marathon.