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After 30+ years of outfitting NBA stars, this company wants to share the "world's most comfortable sneaker" with the 99%If you’ve wanted to walk, run, and/or execute high-flying kicks, all while feeling like you’re floating on air, this could be something to throw your money at.For over 30 years, China-based company Peak Sports — based out of Dalian and Shanghai — has outfitted NBA basketball players and other members of the sports elite. But they’ve since turned to Kickstarter to help bring their shoe technology — which they’re cleverly calling “Peak King” — to a wider audience.The company writes:“It begins with our obsession with building the best basketball kicks. For the past 30-odd years, we have worked tirelessly to deliver only the best for everyone — that includes NBA stars [from] Lou Williams to Tony Parker.“In this pursuit, we discovered something game-changing — why limit it to only basketball players? We want to share it with the world, so we are here on Kickstarter to make it a reality.”The secret to their success, according to the campaign’s website, is P4U — a compound foaming technology that makes midsoles “self-adaptive” depending on the wearer’s activity.On a molecular level, the foam will separate and cushion your steps when walking, for instance, and bond resistance when running (or dunking on your friends). Interestingly, they’re sending a free sample of P4U — which looks a bit like goopy Silly Putty — to anyone that donates, to see what else future customers would want made with this material. Peak Sports are sending contributors a sample of P4U to play withThe company also tackles their Chinese origins head-on in writing: “While the phrase ‘Made in China’ may evoke certain thoughts in your mind, we’re here to take that phrase back. To us, ‘Made in China’ is a point of pride.” The sentiment is not uncommon; in recent years, many Chinese brands have been repositioning themselves as innovators and trendsetters, and reclaiming the label with pride.Related:Made in China 2.0: How Li-Ning Sneakers Went from Beijing Outlets to New York Fashion WeekIt’s worth noting that the campaign is officially “fully funded” — more precisely, it’s more than tripled its goal to date. But they also gift a pair of Peak King shoes to those that pledge over $850 HKD (equivalent to $109 USD).So if it means taking the “world’s most comfortable sneakers” out for a spin — sometime after Tony Parker, and before the rest of the world — we don’t mind if we do.Click here to support the campaign on Kickstarter.Related:How Basketball Became China’s Most Beloved SportAll images courtesy Peak Sports.
Listeners of the World, Unite! Why Stressed Out Students are Turning to Revolutionary Songs January 19, 2021
Wǒ Men Podcast: How Covid-19 has Changed Chinese People’s Attitudes to Personal Finance June 15, 2020