K-Swiss Pickleball Shoes
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K-Swiss Enters The Pickleball Market
In recent years, the game of pickleball has exploded in popularity, becoming one of the fastest–growing sports in the United States. And with that growth has come an increased demand for high–quality pickleball equipment – including shoes. K–Swiss, a leading tennis shoe brand, has answered that call by being the first brand to introduce a new line of shoes specifically for pickleball and designed to provide optimum comfort and performance. The company‘s research and development team worked closely with top pickleball players to create a shoe that would meet the specific needs of the sport. The result is a lightweight yet supportive shoe with excellent traction and lateral stability – everything you need to make quick movements and sharp cuts on the court. In addition, K–Swiss‘ pickleball shoes feature specialized cushioning to protect your feet from impact and help reduce fatigue during long matches.
K–Swiss sees pickleball as a natural fit for its brand. The company has always been associated with tennis, and many of its customers are likely to play both sports. The company has been investing heavily in marketing and sponsorships in recent years, and see pickleball as another avenue to reach new customers. A lot of brands have quickly caught on to the pickleball trend and it’s exciting to see the sport grow! It is safe to say that pickleball is here to stay and it will be fun to watch the game evolve. Whether you’re just starting out in pickleball or are a seasoned pro, K-Swiss’ new line of shoes will get you what you need. They also make the “pickleball backpack 2”, if you need something to carry your shoes and other belongings.
Express Light
Women / Men
K-Swiss has been a trusted name in tennis shoes for years, and now they’ve entered the pickleball market with their Express Light shoe. This shoe is designed for ultimate comfort and performance on the court, with a lightweight construction that won’t weigh you down as you shift around. The upper is made of breathable mesh to keep your feet cool, while the EVA midsole provides cushioning and support. The outsole features K-Swiss’s proprietary Aosta 7.0 rubber compound for excellent traction, so you can make those quick moves without slipping.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a good, sturdy pair of shoes that are made for the pickleball court so that you do not get injured. Recovery is not fun. Sure, you may be able to get away with your sneakers for a while, but eventually, it will catch up to you. The shoe comes in both a men’s and women’s version. The K-swiss express light shoe is a great choice for anyone looking for a comfortable, stable shoe.
The K-EVA cushioning and ORTHOLITE sock liner provides moisture management and comfort, while the HEEL GRIP LINING prevents heel slippage. The 180 PSC PLANTAR provides stability, and the AÖSTA 7.0 RUBBER COMPOUND offers durability from heel to toe. The DRAGGUARD also increases abrasion resistance. The shoe fits true to size, is breathable, and is pretty easy to clean. The Express Light is around $100, which is not too bad for a high-quality shoe that is durable and will last you a long time, it’s worth the investment just to have a shoe that is for the hard pickleball surface to prevent an injury…
What Does K-Swiss Stand For?
Some people think that it is a combination of the German word “kühl,” meaning cool, and the English word “swiss,” referencing the high quality of Swiss goods. However, the brand states that the “K” actually stands for “Kalifornia”, which is where they started the shoe journey.
K-Swiss Future?
In the wake of a difficult few years for the K–Swiss tennis brand, it is time to take a look at what the future may hold. After a series of high–profile departures and disappointing results on court, K–Swiss has been left with something of an identity crisis. In order to regain its place as one of the leading names in tennis, K–Swiss will need to make some big changes. One area that needs urgent attention is the player roster. K–Swiss has failed to sign any truly world–class players in recent years and as a result, their profile on the ATP Tour has suffered greatly. In order to compete with the likes of Adidas, Nike and Wilson, K–Swiss must start attracting some big names. This will require greater investment both in terms of financial contracts and in supporting players.
K-Swiss is now a Westlake Village shoemaker that claims 1% of the overall $16.3-billion athletic shoe and apparel market. The company does not court celebrity endorsements for its products. The company has instead sought endorsements from lesser-known stars, including the Woodies, the most successful men’s doubles combo in history. The company is a holdout in an industry in which star-based endorsements are common and sought after.
In 1997, the company focused on a new marketing strategy, but it did not pay off and their sales dropped from $155 million to $107 million. In 2000, the company hired a new marketing department and began focusing on their classic shoe line. To promote this line, the company advertised on MTV and other youth-oriented networks. In 2002, sales were $236 million, which was the same as sales in 2001.
K–Swiss shoes were known for their low prices and lack of name recognition. However, because they have gone against the grain by shunning sports celebrities and instead focusing on a no-frills advertising campaign, it seems they may be turning a corner. The company‘s focus on affordability and simplicity has helped them to gain market share in the “lifestyle–fashion“ segment of the shoe industry. In fact, K–Swiss had 14 models among the top 50 sellers this year – second only to Reebok. It seems that shoppers‘ tastes are changing and they are now less interested in pricey fashion footwear than they are in getting good value. This change in consumer behavior, combined with a desire amongst teenagers for anything retro, has created ideal conditions for K–Swiss‘ success.
The company‘s iconic Classic shoe, which has remained unchanged for 36 years, is now more popular than ever. K–Swiss‘ current advertising campaign – which consists of plain ads featuring teens talking about the shoes – is simple but effective and has resonated with consumers. Due to their smart marketing strategy and timing, K–Swiss is enjoying a period of renewed popularity and success. The company has no plans to change their marketing strategy anytime soon.
K-Swiss History
K–Swiss is a tennis apparel and footwear brand that was founded in 1966 by two Swiss brothers, Art and Ernie Brunner in Las Angeles, Ca. The brothers were born in Switzerland and immigrated to Southern California in the early 60s, where they became avid tennis players. The brand is known for its iconic white shoes with green and red stripes, which are worn by many professional tennis players. They got the inspiration for their first shoes from their leather ski boots and focused primarily on the cushioning of the soles and creating a firm upper. The classic and timeless shoes became an instant success after they were presented the shoe at Wimbledon.
Upscale customers and tennis players took to the K-Swiss Classic immediately, causing them to grow in popularity in the United States. The first K-Swiss shoes were made from leather and had a simple design with just three stripes on the side. However, they quickly gained popularity among tennis players due to their comfort and durability. Today, K-Swiss offers a wide range of products including clothing, footwear, and accessories for both men and women. K-Swiss has also teamed up with many celebrities and professional athletes to push their brand.
K–Swiss quickly became successful due to the quality of their products and the fact that they were endorsed by many big names in tennis. Today, K-Swiss is still one of the leading brands in tennis footwear and apparel. They are known for their innovation and style, as well as their commitment to quality. Some of their most popular products include the K-Swiss Classic sneaker (which has been worn by everyone from athletes to celebrities), the Blade Lite Tennis Shoe (which is designed for comfort and speed), and the Stabilizer Tennis Shoe (which provides extra support for lateral movements). K-Swiss has also expanded beyond just tennis shoes – they now offer a wide range of sporting goods, including clothing, bags, accessories, and more. Whether you’re looking for performance gear or just something to wear on your next casual outing, K-Swiss has you covered.