Heyfolks' sleeker sneakers key on comfort

Sneakers have long been a wardrobe staple, one that has been rendered all the more essential given the ongoing stick-close-tohome agenda.

Fraser Valley-based footwear brand Heyfolks is aiming to offer stylish footwear options — think: sneakers, flats and more — for the whole family, that are locally designed and thoughtfully made. Available in a variety of styles and hues, the designs are sleek enough to be worn for work or play, wherever that may take place. We caught up with business partners Doug Sheridan and Jeff Penner to learn more.

Q For those who aren't familiar, what is Heyfolks?

Sheridan: Heyfolks is an Abbotsford-based business with its own domestic footwear factory, producing high-end baby and toddler shoes, made in Canada. We also make `comfort performance' adults shoes, from upcycled materials with a branded footwear partner in China.

Our mission is to help you “have a good day,” whether that means all-day comfort for you in our shoes, or shoes your child can put on by themselves and shoes that will stay on your little one's feet.

Q What makes it unique from other footwear companies?

Sheridan: Our brand's difference is the combination of offering domestically made footwear for children, from high-end material that offers sustainability through longevity of usage that is made with a technical, automated process, so a `future factory' here in B.C., supporting a `just-in-time' model, which allows us to consistently introduce new styles and popular carryovers.

We will be producing adults athletic styles domestically in the first quarter of 2021, which will further expand our goal of being made in Canada.

Q Where are the shoes designed/made?

Sheridan: Our ranges are all designed in our operations in Abbotsford and are made in our own facility, as well as in our partner factory in China.

Q Is there a `hero' style in the lineup? If so, which one and what makes it so popular?

Penner: Traditionally, our softsole shoe for babies and toddlers made in Canada have been leading sales, but right now our Voyageur sneakers have proven very popular and have changed our business in the past few years. It has shown that we can produce comfort and quality that accompanies our well-built, domestic-made products.