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Chinese shoe manufacturers

  • 06-10-2025 10:22AM
    #1
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    i have tried most of the MS brands over the years- Brooks,mizuno,adidas,Hoka etc) looking for alternatives and found Atreyu running - carbon plated race shoe for 100USD.

    A great shoe and mush faster than my legs can go .

    another recent option is the Decathlon carbon plated shoes

    KD900X.2 for circa 100€ - supposed to be a great all rounder shoe

    This got me thinking these guys are going to china with a design and plan to build X amount of shoes based off projections.

    Couple of Chinese brands stand out for me based if YT reviews

    Li-ning (feidan 5C)

    Xtep (260X) true to size typically

    Anta

    361

    Qiaodan

    BMAI - carbon version

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVnCDdRGrQo&t=979s

    plan is to get a daily trainer and race shoe to test the water.

    leaning towards Li-ning and /or Xtep (pun intended)

    xtep one piece for daily trainer and BMAI for race shoe.

    Post edited by seanin4711 on


«1

Comments

  • #2
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    update - eventually went for Li-ning Feidan Challenger 5

    waiting for it in the post

    review to follow



  • #3
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    HOW GOOD ARE THEY?! Li Ning Challenger 5 FIRST IMPRESSIONS (WOW)

    glad i took the punt!

    Xtep 2000km 3.0 (50€) for daily trainer ordered next



  • #4
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    "Xtep 2000km 3.0 (50€) for daily trainer ordered next"

    These are a speed trainer tbh nylon plate & fit TTS ( i am EU 43 /UK 8.5 and plenty of toebox room) still on the lookout for daily more plush trainer

    BMAI entry level shoes Graffiti version for 35€ could be the job



  • #5
    CWF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭CWF


    Dynafish Xiao Nian meant to be unreal, Megablast/Evo SL type trainer. They don't go above size 10UK I think so rules me out.

    How was the size on the li ning? 11.5uk but they only do 11 or 12. I'm looking at the red hare 8 pro meant to be a class non-plated daily trainer



  • #6
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    Yes dynafish Xiaonan is coming down the chimney asap!

    Very impressed with Feidian challenger 5 (85€ on joom/AE) - great responsive shoe for tempo race work midfoot striker etc. laterally a little unnerving but rolling forward from midfoot- class!

    I ran in them yesterday and felt like i was wearing "the wrong trousers" from wallace & grommit - they just keep the cadence high and want the turnover/propulsion.

    back from long term injury so once i get more miles in the legs i would say these are the shoes up to half marathon!

    Spoke to a guy in Ballinderreen 10k yesterday and he had a pair on too- directly compared them to Saucony evo pro(RRP 250€ his de-facto race shoe) and he was also very impressed with them giving him a 4min PB.

    I had Saucony Kinvara EU43(8.5UK)and had half inch space in toebox area- these are the same so i would say TTS.

    Also bought Xtep 2000km 3.0 for daily but a bit stiff with nylon plate so BMAI graffiti (entry level 35€) on the way for a LSR/recovery shoe or even the red hare- if it aint broke!!!

    exciting times!



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  • #7
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    just need to get out running more often lol!!!



  • #8
    CWF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭CWF


    Pulled the trigger on the li-ning red hare 8 pro today from Ali express, €56 delivered



  • #9
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124007367#Comment_124007367

    can you link the store as could be on the look out for same.

    thanks

    you wont be disappointed great daily trainer from what i hear.

    ordered base graffitti model BMAI for 32€ for gym etc



  • #10
    CWF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭CWF


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124008255#Comment_124008255

    https://a.aliexpress.com/_EI4K1H6



  • #11
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    i better calm down or else i will outdo this lady

    image.png


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  • #12
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124007367#Comment_124007367

    that with coins and code? best i can see is around 70€



  • #13
    CWF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭CWF


    1000035212.jpg

    This is coming up for me just now



  • #14
    Phoenix90
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19 ✭Phoenix90


    Where did you buy the Dynafish Xiao Nian from to get it shipped to Ireland? Cheers!



  • #15
    CWF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭CWF


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124029797#Comment_124029797

    I don't have them but probably Tao Bao. There are YouTube videos explaining how to do so. By far the cheapest place



  • #16
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    by the time you jump through the TB hoops and pay a third party to forward - adidas Evo sl (which they are compared to) would be cheaper.

    i cant get beyond the Taobao captcha - translation issue.

    if anyone has an efficient way to order and total cost from TB- please Share it

    thanks!



  • #17
    CWF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭CWF


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124033698#Comment_124033698

    I think this works for Europe too

    https://youtu.be/-Bkmgp8rcFI?si=-OxI9LT5mLAQyozC



  • #18
    axe2grind
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 551 ✭✭✭axe2grind


    Ordered Li-Ning Red Hare 8 PRO on 11th Nov, delivered on 21st Nov. €59 though did see them for €56 since, seems to be about €75 today where I got them.

    Only unboxed them today, felt good in the house so did hilly 25k run. If shoes feel good straight away, I am happy to go straight into a longish run. I have nothing negative about them. It was a fun run.

    One of my other shoes is EVO SL. I like them so much, I got 2 more pairs last week.

    I am now sorry I didn’t try Red Hare 8 sooner, because I will happily get more pairs for sub €60.

    Sizing, EVO US 10.5, EU 44 ⅔, 28.5cm

    With Red Hare I went with the same cm length and they are spot on. US 11, EU 45, 28.5cm.

    Compared to the EVO, they are narrower, firmer, more stable, marginally heavier (259g vs 242g) and just as fast. They are quite a different feel. The tongue is thicker, has reflective heel tab and removable insole (EVO non removable)

    Roads were damp today, no sign of slippage. Really good for me on the descents. My first thought was the drop was less, but I don’t feel any calf tightness so I don’t think there is much difference. I think those with wide feet will struggle. They are more snug around the forefoot. I didn’t expect to see any sign of wear after 25k, and there isn’t.



  • #19
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124042807#Comment_124042807

    where you order AE?

    red hare 8 pro my next shoes for daily



  • #20
    CWF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭CWF


    My pair arrived last week have done two runs in them so far 6km each, very happy with them. I'm size 11.5 UK normally but had to go 12 in these they don't do 11.5. I'm happy with the fit, a little snug at the laces but they're a lovely light weight low enough stack nimble daily trainer. Foam feels like power run from Saucony it's a beaded foam. Outsole grip is fine. Upper is comfortable, for €55 you really can't go wrong. Definitely recommend.



  • #21
    axe2grind
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 551 ✭✭✭axe2grind


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124044349#Comment_124044349

    Yes, LINING official store on AE



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  • #22
    CWF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭CWF


    Looks like the li-ning stuff has gone up in price unfortunately, on Alie Express anyway



  • #23
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    got red hare 8 pro for a daily for 65 euro delivered,coupons and coins etc

    Li-ning are the stand out company for me



  • #24
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    xtep 2000km 3.0 - average stiff shoe compared to red hare gym shoe for me!



  • #25
    CWF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭CWF


    The Li-ning Red Hare 9 Ultra is meant to be unreal altogether!



  • #26
    degzs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 291 ✭✭degzs


    Where did you pick these up ? Anything I should look out for custom's etc ?



  • #27
    CWF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭CWF


    Aliexpress



  • #28
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124195830#Comment_124195830

    i would go for 2 pairs of challenger 5 over it.

    pricey tbh 180euro



  • #29
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124195830#Comment_124195830

    i would go for 2 pairs of challenger 5 over it.

    pricey tbh 180euro



  • #30
    CWF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭CWF


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124204307#Comment_124204307

    Are the challenger 5 worth it?



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  • #31
    seanin4711
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,513 ✭✭✭seanin4711


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124209143#Comment_124209143

    in short - yes look up FOD runner on YT



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