The Thousands

The British have their plimsolls, the Americans have their Chuck Taylors, and we have our Volleys. But what of the east? What are the iconic everyman treads of the Chinese denizen? And why do we want a pair?

Well, the east is a geographical direction, the Chinese everyman would say Feiyue shoes, and we want a pair because we have enormous man feet.

Feiyue (meaning ‘flying forward’) were born in Shanghai in the 20s, worn by members of all social categories from countrymen to politicians, and even ‘Shaolin masters‘. Some savvy French enthusiasts picked up the brand in 2006 and upped their design and quality, perhaps because the fighting monks were demanding robustness, who knows? Feiyues are now more durable and various than they ever were for the everyman, coming in canvas and leather, low and high-top, and white and black shades.