The company has been making football boots and trainers since the 1950s, after Emidio Lazzarini took over the family business from his father. A wrestler himself, he first made his own wrestling shoes by hand, then began crafting customised boots for the local football team, A.S. Ascoli — many of its players becoming his regular clients.
Pantofola D Oro
From an Ascoli cobbler's shop to hand-made boots for the local team.
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Pantofola D Oro shopping FAQ
Are Pantofola d'Oro sneakers worth it?+
Pantofola d'Oro appeals to people who want Italian leather sneakers with genuine sporting heritage rather than a flashy logo, and on that basis they tend to deliver. The leather is supple and the silhouettes draw on the brand's football-boot lineage, giving them a distinctive, low-key character. If you value craftsmanship and a story over hype, they make a satisfying buy; if you only want a trend piece, the understated look may not be for you.
Are Pantofola d'Oro shoes good quality?+
They are generally well regarded for their materials and finish, with soft, durable leather and a considered build that reflects a long footwear pedigree. As with most quality leather shoes, they reward upkeep, so regular conditioning and careful storage keep them looking their best. Treat them as a long-term piece rather than a throwaway sneaker and they hold up well.
How does Pantofola d'Oro compare to Common Projects?+
Both are Italian-made leather sneakers, but they speak to different buyers. Common Projects is the minimalist, hype-driven benchmark at a premium price, while Pantofola d'Oro leans on a much longer heritage rooted in football boots and a more sport-inflected design. If you want a clean blank-canvas sneaker, Common Projects; if you want Italian craft with a sporting backstory, Pantofola d'Oro is the more characterful pick.
What is Pantofola d'Oro best known for making?+
Pantofola d'Oro is an Italian manufacturer of football boots, clothing and leisure footwear. It made its name in football boots and trainers, and that sporting heritage now feeds directly into its leather sneakers and lifestyle shoes. The football-boot DNA is the thread that ties the whole range together.
How old is Pantofola d'Oro?+
The company can trace its roots back to 1886, when the old Lazzarini cobbler's shop was founded in Ascoli Piceno, Italy. That makes it one of the older names in Italian footwear, although it has only been making football boots and trainers since the 1950s. The earlier decades were spent as a traditional cobbler.
Where is Pantofola d'Oro from?+
Pantofola d'Oro is Italian, with origins in Ascoli Piceno, a town in central Italy where the founding Lazzarini cobbler's shop was established. That regional, artisanal heritage is central to the brand's identity and to the Italian craftsmanship it is known for.
How did Pantofola d'Oro start making football boots?+
The shift came through the Lazzarini family. During the 1950s Emidio Lazzarini took over the business from his father, and as a wrestler he began by making his own wrestling shoes. After working on hand-made wrestling footwear, he contacted the local football team, A.S. Ascoli, and started making customised boots for the players, many of whom became his regular clients.
Which football club has links to Pantofola d'Oro?+
The brand's football story begins with A.S. Ascoli, better known today as Ascoli Calcio 1898. Emidio Lazzarini began crafting customised football boots for the team, and many of its players at the time became his regular clients, helping turn the cobbler's shop into a football-boot maker.
Which Pantofola d'Oro shoe should I buy first?+
A good entry point is one of the leather low-top sneakers that channel the brand's football-boot heritage into an everyday shoe. They show off the soft Italian leather the label is known for while staying versatile enough to wear with most casual outfits. From there it is easy to explore the wider leisure-footwear range.
How should I care for my Pantofola d'Oro leather sneakers?+
Leather sneakers last longest with a little routine care, so wipe off dirt with a soft cloth and condition the leather periodically to keep it supple and prevent cracking. Use shoe trees or stuff them to hold their shape, and store them away from direct heat and damp. A protective spray helps guard the upper against rain and stains.