Onitsuka Tiger from the USA: Japanese footwear tested by time
Onitsuka Tiger is one of the oldest shoe manufacturers in Japan. Today it's better known as ASICS, while the Onitsuka brand sells shoes with traditional designs, so-called retro footwear, which has become very popular in recent years. If you're tired of modern sneakers that look like peas in a pod, Onitsuka Tiger shoes will be a pleasant (and fairly affordable) alternative.
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16.05.2025
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History of Onitsuka Tiger Sneakers
The company Onitsuka Co. appeared shortly after World War II, in 1949. It was founded by 32-year-old Kihachiro Onitsuka. Watching a basketball team, he noticed that they slipped too much on the floor. And since they needed to change direction almost every second, this led to injuries or missed points.
Then an idea occurred to him (and it could only have appeared in Japan!). While eating octopus soup, Kihachiro noticed how firmly a tentacle stuck to the plate. The secret was in the numerous suckers, each of which created friction and helped grip the surface. This is how the first Onitsuka Tiger sneakers appeared — with cups and small depressions on the sole. And just a few months later, the school basketball team wearing shoes from Kihachiro won the city championship.
The next big task for the young inventor was creating comfortable shoes for marathon runners. In 1953 he presented a model that allowed running dozens of kilometers without getting calluses or blisters. This is how the first Onitsuka Tiger sneakers appeared. In them, in 1957, Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila, winner of many Olympics, began competing. It was the first time in his running career that he wore shoes.
In the late 1950s, Kihachiro Onitsuka released the first women's Onitsuka Tiger shoes, which helped the Japanese women's team at the Olympics. He also hosted Philip Knight, a runner from Oregon, who studied methods of making good shoes at his factories, and then in 1964 founded Blue Ribbon Sports (later known as Nike).
While Nike was just taking its first steps in the USA, new men's Onitsuka Tiger sneakers in 1965 helped the Japanese national basketball team take first place at the FIBA World Championship.
What now
In 1977, all sports brands of the company (there were about a dozen) were merged into the ASICS brand. Now the company operates under this name and is known under it all over the world. But buying Onitsuka Tiger sneakers is still possible. In 2002, the company brought back this original brand, following the trend for retro models. Since then, they could be spotted, for example, in the cult «Kill Bill» of 2003, where Uma Thurman wore them as part of her battle outfit.
Onitsuka sneakers and trainers were once created for basketball, marathons, tennis, soccer, and martial arts. But now they are more casual footwear that is comfortable for walking around the city and to the gym. For professional sports, the company releases the ASICS brand.
The brand performs very well for a retro brand. Sales now grow by 20% per year and amount to about $500 million.
The most popular sneaker line of the company — Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66. Golden and silver, they start from $85 on the official site. In Russia, prices without discounts reach 10990 rubles; with discounts for the original — around 8 thousand. The Mexico 66 series is more than 50 years old. Quentin Tarantino chose exactly this model (66 SD) for Uma Thurman. Among other well-known lines is Onitsuka Tiger GSM priced from $50 for kids' and from $85 for adult versions. You can find it on the official Onitsuka site right here. Onitsuka Tiger Corsair, trainers with a characteristically blunt toe, also rank in the Japanese company's top 3 lines. On the official site they start from $100, in Russia — from 8 thousand rubles, but there are almost no offers.
Where to buy Onitsuka Tiger sneakers
- Official website. This is where you’ll find the biggest selection. Visit if you want the latest Onitsuka Tiger models, a rare version, or a size that’s no longer available elsewhere.
- 6PM. Surprisingly, prices here are often even lower than on the official site. For example, you can buy Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 for $45 — half the official price. Some versions go as low as $25–$30. The range is a bit smaller than on the official site, but it’s usually enough to find the right model and size. Discounts can reach 80%, and everything is brand new.
- Amazon. Good selection and prices that are often even lower than on the official site. Like 6PM, Amazon offers free shipping to the Pochtoy.com warehouse.
- Zappos. The leading shoe store in the USA, known for excellent service. There are almost no discounts, so don’t expect 6PM-level prices, but the selection is wider.
- eBay. Here you can find older Onitsuka Tiger versions that are no longer sold anywhere else. Lots of options from enthusiasts — from exclusive pairs costing thousands of dollars to used ones for $10 or even less. Many regular stores also sell on this platform at prices similar to Amazon.
You can then ship these US purchases to Russia with Pochtoy.com. Delivery starts at just $12, while one pair alone can save you $45+ (if you can even find that model in Russia). See our Shipping Cost Calculator from the USA for full pricing and terms.
Just in case, here are the pages for our personal brand managers:
- Coach sneakers in the USA at the best price with purchase and delivery to Moscow and St. Petersburg.
- Guess sneakers in the USA at the best price with purchase and delivery to Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Happy shopping in US stores!
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