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Comment by branko_d | Hacker News Reader

Last month, I bought two pairs of sneakers: one was a full leather design made in Spain, the other was a leather/cloth combination (Italian design, I'm not sure where they are made). Both are comfortable, seem to be of very good quality and look premium. The price of these two pairs together was less then one Nike pair made of synthetic materials.

This was in Novi Sad, Serbia. I don't know what's going on around the world, but if this anecdote is of any indication, Nike is simply too expensive for the (lack of) quality they have.

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>Nike is simply too expensive for the (lack of) quality they have.

I always go to buy Nike first after decades of conditioning. These past years I always return.

Outer soles are of a recycled material that slips and feels like packaging material, the upper part is badly stitched and I've had two times where left and right shoes where slightly different size or shape.

I swear Nike knockoffs are significantly better quality than Nike itself now somehow.

Not sure if I’ve always been too rough with my should, but last year I needed to get more shoes as I was particularly active hiking and fishing that summer.

I ended up going with an expensive pair that was supposed to have all sorts features including some nest waterproof material that I was excited for.

A year later the waterproofing has nearly all rubbed off and a hole has grown next to the toe. These shoes were like $200.

I always assumed 30%+ of the price of a Nike product is to pay for marketing, and shoes and clothing are not some top secret tech, so removing Nike from the list of brands to buy was easy.

>30%+ of the price of a Nike product

it sure wasnt to pay the children who make them

> one was a full leather design made in Spain

Would you care to share the brand name, for posterity?

I think he might be talking about Camper Shoes. I have two pairs that are at least 6 years old, but they are not made for running, and, they are also not as comfortable for walking as many of the famous brands. One was made in Cambodia (Peu) and the other one in Vietnam (Drift).

Cetti.

Thanks!

Leather shoes are still disposable if you can't unstitch the sole. You need a Goodyear welted shoe if you want one that will last decades.

Who cares. Everything has a lifespan.

This sounds like it might have something to do with taxes? In Bulgaria all sports stores carry Nikes and the lower end ones are like 60 euros. Offbrand design replicas are like 40 or 50, no way you get such a deal f, especially for natural materials

+1 for poor quality. New Nikes seem to be blatantly made to wear out in a short few years. I got a pair of Air Max 270 in mid 2021. By 2025, the outer sole was so worn off that the air-sole was exposed to the ground while walking. That happened with very light use: COVID + WfH + not used when away + not used at sports + not my only pair of shoes.

I still buy Nike, but I go for classic models like Air Force, or Air 180, which are a bit more rugged.

I had the same experience with a pair of Nike Zoomfly Air. Bought in 2020, and they'd fallen apart by 2024 with extremely light use thanks to COVID and WfH. It was quite disappointing given the cost, and they had been quite comfortable shoes. Lately, I wear Brooks.

Yes, this.

My sister took me to the employee store, and even at 50% off the price/quality is a rip off.

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