Nike Ballestra - Price Set
Update: The Nike Store is showing the Nike Ballestra shoes at a price of $220. No additional comment from Nike yet, but this is well above the price range quoted to us ever since the first interview.
The new Nike Ballestra - their fencing shoe - is set to hit the market in August at the start of the Olympic Games. After talk of a range of $100 to $150 for the shoes, and the Adidas shoes being released at $200, Nike went ahead and committed to a $150 street price.
At the beginning of the process, I expected the Nike shoes to come in at the high end of their stated price range. The fencing market is fairly small and the $150 price puts it right with the Hi-Tec Scimitars and under the Adidas adiStars.
Look for Nike to gain quick marketshare in the US with this shoe. Here’s a view of the other side:
Meg on 17 Jul 2008 at 7:44 am #
Was that price from an official press release or did Nike just change their mind? Here’s the link to Nike.com where they have the Ballestra for $220
http://www.nike.com/index.jhtml?l=nikestore,pdp,_pdp,cid-1/gid-186727/pid-186726&re=US&co=US&la=EN#l=nikestore,pdp,_pdp,cid-1/gid-186727/pid-186725&re=US&co=US&la=EN
I guess they figured they needed to charge more than Addias!
Meredith on 21 Jul 2008 at 2:54 pm #
I hope the $150 price holds. Anything over that and just go with the Adidas En Gardes at $80 or so. Thanks, Nike, we really needed an expensive shoe to go with our already expensive sport.
Craig on 24 Jul 2008 at 10:19 am #
Looks like the $220 is what they are going with given that Adidas launched at $200.
I really think that the Ballestra is a great shoe, and was a no brainer at $150. At $220 it’s still a good shoe, but more targeted at the top tier fencers.
Sarah on 27 Jul 2008 at 9:57 pm #
absolutely ridiculous. A Negrini FIE mask retails for less, lasts longer than a pair of shoes, and does a bit more important job. I’m not trying to downplay the incredible importance of a good pair of shoes, but I was looking forward to the Ballestra (I desperately need a new pair of fencing shoes) and they looked pretty great. But now, I guess it’s back to all the same old options.
Also odd how on the site it has them listed as “mens” fencing shoes. Fencing apparel never did find it particularly important to cater to women.
Meredith on 28 Jul 2008 at 4:45 pm #
How can they expect to gain market share with such a high price? I’d say it puts the shoe in the range for only the top 10% of fencers, many of which will stick with what they are already using.
karla on 24 Apr 2009 at 10:22 pm #
I buyed the adidas adistar tennis shoes and the first day I used them they get broken! woooow