Since 1975

For 50 years, Kaepa has embraced a simple yet powerful philosophy: to design with purpose, evolve with intention, and inspire self-expression with every step. Rooted in innovation and adaptability, we celebrate the creativity and resilience of everyone who chooses Kaepa. 

As we honor this milestone, we remain dedicated to being your blank canvas—supporting your journey and inspiring you to express your unique story with every step.

Our Story

Kaepa's journey is deeply rooted in the ingenuity of its founder, Thomas Adams. The story begins at a tennis tournament in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the vamp (the upper side parts of the shoe that connect to the rubber sole) began to rip at the flex points from overuse. Refusing to quit, Tom improvised by enhancing the rips and cutting the shoe laces in half for tying into two separate bows creating a dual-lace fastening system. He immediately noticed the improved performance and control this provided. Inspired by this discovery, Tom deliberately cut the sides of his other shoe improving flexibility and even cut and tied his shoelaces in a similar fashion. Through his ingenuity, he had transformed them into a custom-fit pair that outperformed anything else on the court. The double lace system quickly gained popularity, particularly in sports that required both performance and comfort, such as basketball, volleyball, and tennis.

Recognizing the potential of his creation, Tom patented these ideas, giving birth to the double lacing, split-vamp technology that would go on to spark the Kaepa brand. What started as a quick fix on a tennis court became a revolutionary design that athletes around the world have trusted for decades. This blend of necessity, innovation, and customization is the essence of Kaepa - a brand that has always been about solving real problems for athletes with practical, effective solutions. We don't quit at the breaking point. The breaking point guides us to finding our authentic selves and keep moving.