Nike has long been more than just shoes — it's a mass cultural phenomenon. But if we're not talking about Chinese knockoffs and all sorts of Nice and Nikke, then the prices for brand-new releases and classics of the genre are downright steep. At least if you buy them from middlemen in Russia. There's no guarantee that a well-known store carries genuine Nike. It happens — you buy a pair, check the number on the official website, and it's not in the registry of authentic sneakers. Yes, this happens even with well-known stores in Russia, especially online ones. Sneakers from top brands like Adidas, New Balance or the same Nike cost on average 50% more in our country than in the US.
This is even evident from official online stores. And then there are such "monsters" as 6PM, Amazon or the same eBay, where you can search for more attractive offers, knocking the price down by another one and a half or even two times. The thing is, in Russia there's a "brand" markup on the part of flagship brands, plus the cost of margins for middlemen, warehouse expenses, store rent, salaries, and so on. Buying good footwear in Russia is frankly not worthwhile. This situation creates a favorable "window" for ordering Nike in the US. It's worth taking advantage of.
Black Friday sale for self-service purchases through prostobox.com.
At the Origins of Nike Shoes
How did Nike sneakers break into the global top? It all started with the meeting between renowned track coach Bill Bowerman and runner Phil Knight, a freshman at the University of Oregon. After his studies, Phil was inspired by the idea of displacing the expensive German sneakers then in vogue with cheaper Japanese alternatives. In those days the market was split between professional running shoes from $30 a pair and cheap but uncomfortable sneakers for five bucks. Phil and Bill decided to fix this by creating a “middle” price point. In 1962 Phil began exporting Japanese Tiger sneakers to the USA, founding Blue Ribbon Sports. The laundry room of Knight’s parents served as the warehouse for the first three hundred pairs.
Phil Knight never forgot his mentor and eventually invited Bowerman to become a partner. In addition to Bowerman’s athletes, the new shoes were sold at running tracks straight from Knight’s car. The first pair designed by Bowerman is said to have gone to runner Otis Davis, who won two Olympic golds wearing them.
In the first year 1,300 pairs sold, bringing the partners their first $8,000. A year later Phil and Bill had already hired their first employees and earned $20,000; in 1965 the first Nike store (also a workshop) opened in Santa Monica. That year the partners “raked in” $100,000.
Nike from the USA “Swoosh”
By the way, about the first employees. Knight hired his competitor-runner from the university, Jeff Johnson. It was he who sold the first Tiger from a van, and he also surveyed athletes about exactly what kind of sneakers they wanted to buy in the future. He passed the information to Phil and Bowerman, who were already developing their models and strategy.
Johnson dreamed of the Roman goddess of victory, Nike, in 1965. He liked the idea, so the first own sneakers from Blue Ribbon Sports were named Nike. Well, the first model with the Nile brand became the “marathoners” with a nylon upper that replaced traditional leather. The new model did not crack from the sun, which in those days was a problem for many sneakers.
So, the name and the team. But what about the famous crescent “Swoosh”? Student Caroline Davidson is responsible for its creation. In fact, Phil Knight did not like any of the options proposed by Caroline, but the sneakers desperately needed a recognizable logo, and he reluctantly chose Swoosh, promising to “get used” to it. Then Caroline received only 35 dollars for her labors, but over time she received a diamond ring with a black checkmark — ”swoosh” and 500 Nike shares as a token of appreciation.
Nike: The Beginning of Success
It becomes the Nike we know in the 70s and 80s. The springboard to success was the Moon Shoe, presented at the 1972 Olympics. By the way, its sole was created by Bill Bowerman through experiments with rubber and his wife's waffle iron. The decision became groundbreaking thanks to excellent grip on the track and excellent wear resistance. A pair of Moon Shoes even became the most expensive sneakers in history. In 2019, they were sold at Sotheby's for 440 thousand dollars.
Well, and at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, quite a few Olympic runners were already shopping at the Nike store. However, Nike's creators did not plan to limit themselves to the professional sports market. Soon Americans were wearing Nike, and soon Swooshes adorned tracksuits, baseball caps, hoodies, and much, much more.
But real success came after street gangs of all skin colors and eye shapes tried Nike on. Showing up at school not wearing those kicks meant problems from the "competing organization". The guys might not get it. That's why Michael Jordan turned them down three times with their lucrative offer. His religious upbringing did not allow him to endorse them. In the end, big money prevailed.
Nike USA Legendary Sneaker Models
The basis of the famous Nike Air technology was the idea of Frank Rudy, a former NASA engineer. At first he was turned down both at Nike and its competitors, but Rudy persisted and at the second interview the company bought his development. And they didn’t regret it.
The idea of an “air cushion” in the sole stood out favorably from the usual rubber tubes that compressed after active use. Nike’s sole, however, stayed soft and springy for a long time. Air technology became Nike’s calling card for many years.
- Nike Air Max. To this day the most popular model. Its highlight is the transparent “portal” through which the cushioning chamber is visible. This solution was suggested by Tinker Hatfield, inspired by the Pompidou Center in Paris with its external utilities. In 2019 the Graviton incarnation of the Air Max was the most popular both on Nike’s official U.S. website and on online platforms like 6PM.com. By the way, “Gravity” will cost you around $50 there, while in Russia its price exceeds a hundred dollars (7600 rub.).
- Nike Air Force. High-top sneakers with ankle support. This type of footwear is popular in the NBA and on the streets of New York and Los Angeles. Over time it became associated with the street culture of Black neighborhoods. On Nike’s official U.S. website their price starts at $90, while here they start at 9000 rubles (about $120).
- Nike Air Jordan. “Signature” sneakers that became iconic. The first pair was an exclusive for Michael Jordan, and later the model went into mass production, receiving its logo with Michael in mid-air. In Russia the Air Jordan 1 Mid will cost you around 9–9.5 thousand rubles. If you order these Nikes from America, they will cost $110, saving you a thousand or fifteen hundred even with shipping. Add to that the much wider selection available to Americans.
Where to buy Nike in the USA?
The most obvious place Nike.com. We recommend checking the discounts section first, but even without them, the wide selection and prices one and a half times lower than in Russia make buying there attractive.
- Amazon.com. How could we forget Bezos's brainchild? Here you'll find 60,000 Nike items. Sneakers, clothing, and headwear, both new and from older collections.
- Zappos.com. Probably the top and most popular shoe online store in the USA with excellent service. Thousands of sneakers, and now also Nike clothing. You won't find especially great discounts here, but delivery to the Prostobox warehouse in the USA will be free.
- 6PM.com. One of the main sale platforms in America. Discounts up to 70%. You can easily save a couple-three thousand rubles on a pair, even accounting for delivery to Russia. Delivery to the Prostobox warehouse will be free for orders over $50, and for that money you can easily find great brand-name sneakers.
Besides the obvious advantages like price and wide selection, shopping in the USA guarantees model quality, since the American market is protected from fakes much better than the Russian one. So choose sneakers to your taste, and the reliable delivery will be handled by Prostobox package delivery service from the USA.
To start shopping, register on the Prostobox website and get a US address for independent purchases.
Our advantages.
The address in the tax-free state of Delaware allows you to shop at any US online store without VAT. VAT is the equivalent of our sales tax that the buyer pays when purchasing goods.
Completing and submitting a customs declaration for purchases in US stores by a Prostobox buyer from $5.
You can calculate delivery from the USA to Russia or Ukraine of Nike shoes. We've prepared a simplified but accurate delivery calculator. You'll like it.
When can you buy Nike sneakers in the USA with a discount?
Dear visitors! Please note that the lowest prices on Nike sneakers are on Black Friday. Use the services of Prostobox.com specialists for the best service. However, significant discounts and sales are held regularly. Nike is a well-known and popular company that has a huge number of partners across America. There's no day of the year when promotions or sales aren't held on them.
Current sales and promotions in US online stores for customers from Russia and Ukarina.
What to do if the store declines payment by card?
Dear visitors to our website. In this case, you can use the proxy buying service from the official website with a Prostobox buyer. Our buyers will purchase the order using their own cards and addresses, and will also help arrange delivery to any city in Russia and Ukraine.
According to statistics, every fifth package from Amazon USA ships with Nike sneakers.
From $3.99 and 100 grams delivery from US stores to Russia
Full-service mail forwarder Prostobox.com.
Our recommended stores with their own buyers.
Amazon.com USA purchase and delivery of orders with Nikes from the USA to Russia and Ukraine.
Ebay.com USA purchase and delivery of orders with Nikes from the USA to Russia and Ukraine.
