The sneaker industry is a world of its own, and well, it’s not gonna stop growing anytime soon. And one of the big ballers there is none other than Nike! In fact, the Swoosh’s net worth is currently $145.73B! And while we love us a pair of really lit kicks, we wanna know what happens behind the scenes. So, today we’re gonna answer one of the biggest questions; Where are Nike shoes made? You see, a lot goes on beyond the “Add to Cart” button. From the long design process to sampling, to production, and signing big names. All of this and more brought Nike to the front pages! But do you really know what you pay for? If not, you’ll wanna read on.
Where Are Nike Shoes Made?
You probably asked this question at least once in your sneakerhead life. Well, the answer is not as simple as just one location. In fact, Nike has a whole map online, so the consumer can track where the magic happens. From material suppliers to finished goods, we got the exact number of factories and workers. It’s worth noting, that Nike doesn’t own the factories, they actually contract the factories. Now all that is good and interesting, but for real now, where are Nike shoes made?!
It would be awesome if we could give a direct answer, but the Nike shoe production spreads across 41 countries! Some of the countries are China, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Italy, and Indonesia. But the winner of the sneaker production is actually China. Fun fact time! Did you know that China has 112 factories and 120K+ workers? These numbers are not only for shoes, they include Nike equipment and clothing. Now if we focus on where are Nike shoes made, China also takes the cake here with the most factories! This also includes Converse kicks manufacture.
Why the Factory Distribution?
When you play the industry game, you gotta be smart, and that’s exactly what Nike Inc. is. First of all, the focus on these areas is because of the low cost of production. In fact, a pair of shoes costs a fraction of how much we pay for it! Speaking of production, Yeezys, and Adidas kicks generally come from similar factories, for the same reasons.
Another reason behind factory distribution is the low cost of labor in Asia and South America. And finally, to not depend on just 1 country for production. So let’s say factories closed in South America because of whatever-the-reason-is, it’s alright! They still have the Asian factories up and running.
How Ethical is Nike? Addressing the Controversies
You can’t be a giant corporation without controversies swirling like dust around you. The main controversy that surrounded Nike (and still relatively does) is its manufacturing conditions. The accusations go as far back as the 1970s, but in the 90s the Swoosh came under fire. Why? Well, according to reports, the work conditions in factories were really bad. From low wages to child labor, Nike was obviously not a crowd favorite. However, the brand managed to turn this around by putting more effort into factory monitoring Although they worked towards that goal, you’ll naturally get a controversy now and then. So really, knowing how and where are Nike shoes makes us responsible too!
Sustainability Movements
We wouldn’t really go out of our way to call Nike a sustainable brand. However, it’s definitely on the right track with all the sustainability movements they’re going for! Let’s take a look at some of the different programs the brand launched in recent years. But if you’re looking for brands that are sustainable from the get-go, check this out.
Reuse-A-Shoe/Nike Grind
We all like our old pair of kicks, but at some point, we really need to let go. But why throw away the sneakers and have them pollute the environment when we can recycle them? Well, thanks to the reuse-a-shoe program, the kicks can become Nike Grind. This movement actually started in 1992, and it’s still in business today, almost 30 years later. Now Nike Grind is used to make courts, tracks, playgrounds, and even sneakers!
Move to Zero
The previous movements are both a part of a bigger sustainability scheme by Nike: Move to Zero. This movement is Nike’s goal to reach zero waste and zero carbon footprint to save the future of sports. With design lines like Space Hippie and Cosmic Unity, Nike takes a step towards this goal. And when you see the following logo when you shop on Nike, know that you’re helping the cause! Now, if you wanna learn more about Nike’s sub-brands, check this out.
Where Are Nike Shoes Made: It Matters!
Now that we got our answer, we should feel a teeny tiny bit more responsible about our shopping! Who said that eco-friendly and sustainable kicks are not in? After all, the hype is in the eyes of the sneakerheads! But make sure you have a great bot like NSB3 on hand. You see, when everyone comes after the kicks, you gotta be one step ahead! Oh, and make sure you check our blog out for all the latest sneaker and botting news and guides! Godspeed.
