Why Running Shoes Are Getting More Expensive in 2025
If you’ve noticed a significant increase in the price of your favorite running shoes lately, you’re not alone. A combination of new tariffs, global supply chain shifts, and rising production costs is driving up prices for consumers across the United States.
The Impact of ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs
On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a sweeping set of tariffs under the banner of “Liberation Day,” aiming to address what he described as unfair trade practices and to bolster domestic manufacturing. These tariffs include:
• A universal 10% tariff on all imported goods, effective April 5, 2025.
• Additional country-specific tariffs, ranging from 11% to 50%, on imports from 86 countries, effective April 9, 2025.
For the footwear industry, these tariffs have significant implications. For example, imports from major manufacturing hubs now face the following cumulative tariffs:
• China: 54%
• Vietnam: 46%
• Cambodia: 49%
• Bangladesh: 37%
• Indonesia: 32%
These increased costs are often passed on to consumers, leading to higher retail prices for running shoes.
Upcoming Changes: June 1, 2025
Further changes are scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2025:
• Increased Flat Fees on Small Parcels: For small parcels shipped from China and Hong Kong, the flat fee per item will increase from $25 to $50.
• Higher Tariffs on Low-Value Shipments: All goods made in China, regardless of order value, are now subject to a 30% tariff or a $25 per-item fee, which will increase to $50 per item after June 1, 2025.
These measures are expected to further impact the cost of imported footwear, potentially leading to higher retail prices for consumers. Brands and retailers may need to adjust their sourcing strategies and pricing models in response to these changes.
Global Manufacturing Landscape
Most major running shoe brands manufacture their products overseas, primarily in Asia. For instance:
• Nike: Primarily manufactures in Vietnam, Indonesia, and China.
• Adidas: Relies heavily on Vietnam, Indonesia, and China for production.
• New Balance: Assembles some models in the U.S., but many are produced in Vietnam and Indonesia.
• Brooks: Manufactures most of its running shoes in Vietnam and China.
• ASICS: Produces mainly in Vietnam and Indonesia.
Given the new tariffs, these companies face increased costs, which may be reflected in higher prices for consumers.
Challenges of U.S. Manufacturing
Producing running shoes domestically presents several challenges:
• Labor Costs: U.S. labor is significantly more expensive than in countries like Vietnam or Indonesia.
• Infrastructure: The U.S. lacks the large-scale infrastructure and trained workforce needed for mass shoe production.
• Supply Chain: Many components used in shoe manufacturing are produced overseas, making domestic production more complex and costly.
While some companies, like New Balance, have U.S.-based production, it’s limited and often involves imported components.
The Labor Cost Gap Behind Your Running Shoes
One of the main reasons running shoes are rarely made in the United States is the vast difference in labor costs. In Vietnam—currently the leading producer of running shoes for brands like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance—the average factory worker earns between $200 and $300 USD per month. In Indonesia and Cambodia, wages can be even lower. By contrast, U.S. manufacturing workers typically earn $3,000 to $4,000 per month, not including benefits. Since running shoes are labor-intensive to make—often requiring 70 to 100 steps in the assembly process—these wage disparities drastically affect the cost of production. That’s why even with new tariffs, it’s still cheaper for most brands to produce shoes overseas than to bring operations back home.
Looking Ahead
The full impact of these tariffs will unfold over time. Consumers may see continued price increases and reduced availability of certain models. Brands may explore alternative manufacturing locations or adjust their product lines to mitigate costs.
As the situation evolves, staying informed will help consumers make educated decisions about their purchases.
posted Thursday May 1st
by Boris Baron