Sanjo was born in 1933 in São João da Madeira, at Companhia Industrial de Chapelaria. In honor of the city that gave birth to it, the brand receives the name of Sanjo, being established in 1936. Manufactured entirely in Portugal, in the late 40s and 50s the Sanjo were already a phenomenon and were found at the feet of all Portuguese.
In the 50s, 60s and 70s, Sanjo became indispensable in the Portuguese sports scene, being a brand present in countless sports teams. With all the inspiration and exponential growth of their industry in Portugal, they continued to grow and adapt, becoming the main sports footwear brand in Portugal. With the end of the regime in 1974, Portuguese markets were opened and import barriers began to be lifted. The effects of the competition are beginning to be visible - despite trying to change its design and adapting, looking for fields other than sport, Sanjo cannot compete with the rise of international sports brands. Companhia Industrial de Chapelaria closed its doors in 1996, together with Sanjo.
In 1997, the brand is purchased and, under new management, its second life begins. A lot of research work has been done, investigating archives, collecting old shoes and old images and photographs to get the material needed to reproduce the lost mold of the Sanjo. In 2010 Sanjo returns to the market with the two most familiar models of the Portuguese, K100 and K200. The impossibility of producing vulcanized soles in Portugal meant that the brand started being produced in China. Recently, in 2019, Sanjo was acquired by a business group from Braga and, with a young and dynamic team, the focus became on bringing Sanjo back home.
The process of having a fully Portuguese production begins and, working with a factory in Felgueiras, Sanjo becomes again made in Portugal. The vulcanized sole was lost by introducing a glued sole with greater environmental awareness, keeping the typical Sanjo rubber and canvas still there, which have followed generations. Sanjo didn't just return - he returned and returned with a desire to grow, evolve and continue to write a story at the feet of the Portuguese.
The most popular models from Sanjo - K100 and K200 - assume the brand's timelessness. With or without a high barrel, these original models have been in existence for over 80 years since their first version. They are reinvented in order to celebrate the first versions preserving some of their original features: canvas upper and logo stitched on the side. In order to make them even more special, modern details and better quality materials have been inserted: textile label on the tongue, inner lining throughout the shoe, cushioned insole, coated eyelets and TPR sole material that has excellent durability characteristics, abrasion resistance and lightness. Discover the Sanjo collection here!
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