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Greats The Royal 2.0 Sneakers, $99 (was $199)
Why is this a big deal?
Brooklyn-based shoe brand Greats opened up shop in 2014 with the idea that high-end leather sneakers shouldn’t cost $400. The brand has changed hands several times since then, but the basic ethos still remains: offering high quality basic shoes, now made in Portugal, for everyone to afford. Because its prices are reasonable, Greats doesn’t often host big sales, but the brand did something really weird — it’s offering 50% off its entire site through July, including its No. 1 bestseller of all time, Royal.
The $199 Gretz Royal 2.0 sneakers are down to $99 during the brand’s sale. All 14 colorways are on sale for the same price (except one, which is actually 60% off), including the most popular one. classic white sneaker. These bestselling kicks have earned more than 11,000 five-star ratings over their lifetime (they’ve been on different pages throughout the years) and have continued to gain popularity as more people realize that good staples don’t have to cost designer prices.
Greats The Royal Sneakers, $99 at Greats (was $199).
What shoppers need to know
- Upper: premium leather
- Sun drying: Made of leather, removable padded insole
- Outsole: great outsole
- Construction: Strobel, handmade in Portugal
- Best for: Everyday wear, smart casual, spring and summer styling
Royale 2.0 picks up where the OG left off and improves on almost every detail. The fit is dialed in from the first wear, the Strobel construction keeps them flexible/light, and the return of the tack stitching gives it a handmade touch that’s hard to find at this price point. The embossed branding on the tongue is subtle and very “cool luxury,” and the removable, padded insole lets you wear them all day long.
The Royal 2.0 sits comfortably alongside the Koio Capri ($265) and Clay Bradley ($170), two of the most respected names in this new era of premium sneaker space. The Royale 2.0 matches it in terms of materials and craftsmanship, while undercutting the Caprice (even before the Spring Event discount) in terms of price. If the benchmark for solid everyday leather sneakers is something that looks expensive, wears easily, and lasts, the Royal 2.0 checks off all three.
RELATED: Nike’s tough-as-nails Cordura sneakers are 40% off and ready for city commutes.
what shoppers are saying
Premium leather sneakers are definitely an investment, but the build quality means you’re actually spending less in the long run: “In 2018 I bought my first and only pair of Greats and they’re still in perfect condition.” It’s worth noting that this may have been an early iteration of Royale, but based on what we know, the same should be true for 2.0.
As far as comfort goes, another reviewer wrote, “These shoes are stylish as well as comfortable. I wear them almost daily. They look great with everything I’m wearing.”
The Greats Royal 2.0 sneakers are shoes that will last you for years, and the $99 sale price is well worth their longevity and style. Sizes are already running out for the other colors, so now’s your chance to pick up a fitting pair.
buy more deals
- Greats The Charlie, $107 at Greats (was $215).
- Greats The Manhattan City Runner, from $90 (was $225) at Greats
- Greats the Rain, $99 at Greats (was $199).
