What sneakers we will wear if top brands leave Russia

Are brands (including footwear brands) leaving Russia now? Yes and no. The “parting words” of many companies are that they are not ending, but only temporarily “suspending” sales. For example, Nike, adidas, Puma have such conclusions. Such “boycott half” is also evidenced by the words of brand representatives. For example, adidas CEO Casper Rorsted says that he does not know when exactly the brand will resume work in Russia.

Author and creator of the street culture blog First Soupe

Tells what awaits snickerheads from Russia in the near future.

The words are confirmed by practice: it is known that employees of brands in the country are not fired and, moreover, continue to receive their salaries. Therefore, the text wants to start optimistically: “it will not always be like this”, Russians will not see the “Iron Curtain”, and the matter, as you can understand, not at all in sneakers. However, what about the harsh reality?

Despite the closure of official stores, independent sneaker and streetwear stores continue to operate. Shoes there are original, so the actual opportunity to buy such a pair is still there. Prices, however, have skyrocketed. So, prices for New Balance in Russia and before the sanctions were not comparable to other countries, and here distributors and at all estimated the model 990v3 JJJJound “only” in 45 thousand. The real price of these sneakers is $ 250, and even at the exchange rate of 150 rubles it is much less.

The example of New Balance is private, but indicative. It is no secret that different stores and marketplaces in warehouses have adidas, and Nike, and New Balance, and Asics, but discounts on products do not have to wait. To find an original model for a couple or three thousand on sale, as it was possible to do a few months ago, is something out of the realm of fantasy. On the other hand, most likely, sneakers will lie on the shelves for a long time because of the price increase. And so there will be an opportunity to buy a pair in Russia, even when independent stores will close supplies.

Another option is to order original Nike, adidas, etc. from China. It will be even more expensive, but at least they can be delivered by air. Do not forget that China is not only fakes of everything in the world, but also an independent industry, where there are marketplaces with original and even limited edition clothes and shoes. One of the famous marketplaces is called Nice, and there you can buy the aforementioned New Balance, and various Nike collaborations, and other interesting pairs.

True, ordering original products of famous non-Chinese brands will not only be expensive, but also hard. It’s good if you know Chinese: then it’s easier to navigate the sites and look for intermediaries (if the marketplace does not deliver to Russia directly). But in any case, you’ll have to wait quite a long time for your parcel – and if you go to an intermediary, there is no possibility of exchange or return. Nevertheless, if you have the money, patience and desire to buy limited edition sneakers, difficulties will not arise.

The third option is to finally order original sneakers directly without knowing the language, intermediaries and dancing with tambourines. The best option – shoes from Li-Ning. This is one of the few Chinese brands that can be called a competitor to Nike, adidas and other Western firms (which still can not boast brand Xiaomi, which developed Mi shoes).

Among the ambassadors of Li-Ning you can find the names of famous athletes (for example, basketball players Dwayne Wade and CJ McCollum), and their sneakers can be seen on top models (for example, on Bella Hadid). Since Li-Ning is now immersed more in the fashion industry than in sports, they have frequently updated collections. However, the design of many of the sneakers may not appeal to fans of white Nike or gray New Balance. Li-Ning are usually very bright, and you can see them from afar. From the unambiguous pluses – you can buy sneakers directly on AliExpress (this is not a fake, but exactly the official products) at a price of 5 to 25 thousand rubles.