Axel Arigato is continuing to build out its low-profile sneaker offering with the launch of its new Zane model.
Designed as part of the brand’s spring/summer 2026 “Green Space” collection, the new unisex terrace-inspired sneaker was born from Axel Arigato’s “heavy focus” on low-profile silhouettes in 2025, creative director Jens Werner told FN in an interview.
Werner noted that the company was “really successful” with the launch of the Daze sneaker last year and wanted to develop another shoe that could have longevity in the market.
“The Zane is a bit more of a ‘substantial’ shoe when it comes to its weight and feeling to it,” Werner described. “It also has those familiar design codes of an off-court sneaker but also a bit more of those future elements in terms of comfort.
Made in Portugal, the Zane’s upper is made in leather with suede overlays, while select colorways are rendered entirely in suede, both of which are finished with an off-set stitch detail along the eyestay and a T-toe construction.
Decorative stitching, evolved from the brand’s Clean 90 sneaker, makes a slight curve on the side panel while the knit-inspired outsole features a tread pattern that subtly resembles knit texture that’s crafted in a rubber blend incorporating recycled material.
Axel Arigato’s new Zane sneaker.
Courtesy of Axel Arigato
The Zane sneaker launches in a broad range of men’s and women’s colorways. The women’s offering includes Off White/Gum, Black/Off White, Taupe/Dark Grey, Tan/Off White, Light Yellow/Gum, and Lilac/Gum. The men’s assortment features Off White/Gum, Black/Off White, Light Blue/Dark Brown, Tan/Off White, Taupe/Dark Grey, and Light Yellow/Gum.
And color is something the brand is leaning more into this year. “We had a lot more fun with color with the Zane,” Werner admitted. “We’ve played it quite safe in the past with about three colorways at initial launch. But we’ve seen that color really works for us. And obviously, the industry is moving towards more optimistic, vibrant and happy colors, which we are picking up more on as well.”
To mark the launch, Axel Arigato is teaming up with electric bike and scooter company Lime on a multi-city initiative. In London, Lime bikes will support a dedicated launch activation, while in-store the partnership extends through a gift with purchase across New York, London, Paris, Stockholm, Berlin and Copenhagen. The first 100 customers per market who purchase the Zane sneaker will receive a complimentary 30-minute Lime ride.
Axel Arigato’s new Zane sneaker.
Courtesy of Axel Arigato
The launch comes at a period of growth and change at the company. In January, Axel Arigato cofounder Albin Johansson, who launched the brand in 2014 with Max Svärdh, announced he was stepping back from his role as chief executive officer. He will remain on the company’s board.
One of his last major projects was opening the company’s first store in the U.S. at 273 Lafayette Street in the SoHo neighborhood of New York in 2024. Werner noted that the SoHo opening was a move to “set up” the company for all of the new product launches it had planned for 2025.
“All of our newness has landed really well in the States, especially in New York,” the creative director said. “When you come to a new market, you can kind of show a full scope of your core and your newness.”
The executive noted that in the brand’s other large, established markets in the U.K. and France is a “bit slower” to adapt to new product launches.
Looking ahead, Werner said that the brand is working on a new comfort runner silhouette that’s slated to launch in October as well as a skate-inspired shoe that is expected this summer. “Expect a simple cupsole style but with a lot of interesting angles,” he added.
Axel Arigato’s new Zane sneaker, which retails for $330, will launch online and in store on March 25.
