Exclusive Look at How Feiyue Kung Fu Shoes Are Made

You might have seen Feiyue sneakers on the feet of celebrities like Orlando Bloom and Poppy Delevingne. They’re also a favorite of Shaolin monks and kung fu practitioners.
Feiyue originally came from China and has become a street fashion icon around the world. But the thing is, there are two Feiyues-one in France and one in China. So which one’s the real one? We went to the factory in Rui’an in eastern China to find out.
P.S. If you’re interested in snagging a pair, we have a limited supply of Chinese Feiyues at our shop! Check it out here:
And if you liked this video, we have more stories about iconic Chinese brands, including:
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Producer: Lia Yi
Narrator: Gavin Huang
Videographer: Steven Sun
Editor: Nicholas Ko
Mastering: Joel Roche
Music: Audio Network
#China #feiyue #sneakers

[@HullioGQ]

Someone should start a "if it ain't #Dafu, it ain't #FeiYue" campaign! Many have always disparaged Chinese factories for counterfeits but this is actually the reverse.

[@osscarfransson]

Let the Chinese get a taste of their own medicine. The western version is of higher quality than the Chinese, but of course at a higher cost, still cheaper than other shoes with the same materials (i.e. Converse or Palladium)

[@jackzhou4813]

@@osscarfransson Yes, this reminds me of Jordan shoes, which also ruined the international development of Chinese private brands.American Jordan shoes were first registered in China, and Chinese Feiyue shoes were first registered in France. . . . .

[@WeMakeVideosCA]

Even #Dafu started mimicking the french style. Manufacturer Top Gun still makes the original design

[@uexkeru]

@@osscarfransson "higher quality" my ass. I wear Feiyues because I need a flexible shoe not a fancy fashion statement that binds my feet

[@sachfm]

its actually much worse, chinese counterfeits do not stop the original brand from selling in other countries...

[@EdT586]

Feiyue is only one of two shoe companies still vulcanizing(bake) their shoes the other is Vans. All other sneaker companies use the cold glue method and this is why the soles split from the upper so easily !

[@davidagostinho1807]

So China has a history of copying and reverse engineering foreign brands, but they don't like it when others do it...Oh the sweet irony..

[@deedumeday518]

@@davidagostinho1807 What?

[@GeauxRilla]

@@deedumeday518 you don't actually expect this chump to respond do you?

[@krekcabnow2910]

Even if it’s true that most companies stopped vulcanizing sneakers it only takes a second of thinking to know there’s more than two companies. Also I know this is bs cause there is more than one feiyue company.

[@topo6790]

Vans tend to use cold glue as well had plenty of pairs with sole separation especially around areas of most stretch

[@saveslot0013]

Good for the these guys. They’re making the best out of a bad situation.

[@madisonperry376]

I love feiyue shoes the minimalist kind and I find them extremely comfy and well priced. I believe I got the Chinese version because they came in the bag with Chinese letters and am extremely happy with them.

[@jackzhou4813]

The original Chinese version of Feiyue is cheap and equally good.

[@下次一定-q4u]

32CNY😂

[@Schnell9390]

@@下次一定-q4u I got it for only 20 Ringgit Malaysia and it was amazing with the extra insole

[@chinaahpek]

i bought a pair after watching this video. No joke. Very good price and it is so comfortable!!!

[@thewanderingrey8830]

Awesome!! I just bought a pair of black 501 Feiyue Dafu last week in Shenzhen - fresh genuine ones from China.

[@H_S_3_S]

I took a photo of a friend of mine and they were wearing a pair of these. I thought they were the coolest looking shoes. Very unique

[@ahhhlvin]

Low key been thinking about getting a pair of these! The first time I heard of the brand was seeing them at Madewell

[@Davyjones5454]

now....who is counterfeiting who ?

[@Goldthread]

We have the original Chinese ones on sale on the Goldthread Shop! Buy them here: shop.goldthread2.com/products/feiyue-kung-fu-sneakers

[@linnorling]

I tried to buy but it said you haven't started operating yet.

[@nullvoid2001]

This is awesome, way to promote the original makers and brand and expose the vultures.

[@buicktothemoon]

You remember the old dragon fly shoes? They were amazing. Can’t find them anymore

[@Hamporkchop]

In my opinion Dafu makes the authentic Feiyue shoe. I tried the french version thinking I might like it, but the shoes were uncomfortable and broke within a few months. Dafu shoes last 1-2 years depending on how much they are worn. Light, flexible, and comfortable. Dafu shoes are the shoes for me. It’s just sad that their brand name was stolen from them.

[@antwango]

where can I get the legit Chinese feiyues in the uk???? or from aliexpress????

[@seasonedyouth]

Thank you for this story! I was worried Dafu used unethical manufacturing practices because of how cheap their Feiyues are! This video gives me a glimpse inside their world and what they're doing looks pretty amazing. Stoked to support an the authentic brand again 👍

[@jackzhou4813]

The Feiyue brand originally belongs to Shanghai Dafu, including the classic retro styles with red and blue stripes, which are also the original version of Dafu

[@kiddkai]

They sell their shoes in a reasonable price in China, they were targeting lower end market so it was meant to be inexpensive. The French guy is really fuckup.

[@whtdafuk1701]

Unethical lol tell that to Europe how ethical their vegetable supplies are while farming using exploited workers from Africa. But no you don’t hear that on mainstream media.

[@julianW1996]

the only way they can do is cheap，if they increase a little price，maybe others brand anta，lining ，361 will be comlepete .

[@haisulii]

There's more than 2 Feiyues tho. Dafu Feiyue is the Chinese fashion Feiyue and Dabowen/Top one is the Chinese kungfu Feiyue. The U.S. Feiyue is basically an expensive Dafu.

[@sense5972]

Do you know if there are any differences between the top one and the dafu?

[@haisulii]

@@sense5972 Quite big difference even though they look similar (when comparing the standard rounded rubber bottom model). Dafu (red circle under) is more cushioned with a less grippy rubber sole but a bit higher quality (thicker sturdier canvas and better rings for the shoelaces). Top one (green triangle) has a thinner and stickier sole that wears out much quicker but does provide really good grip and better feeling than Dafu. There's also modern Top one (red triangle), even though I took one size higher those had an uncomfortable toebox and the canvas broke after 3 months, I'd recommend against as they seem to be fashion above function. I would also say that I need one size bigger in Top one than Dafu and finally I would recommend Dafu for casual wear due to them being a bit better quality.

[@sense5972]

@@haisulii Thanks a lot for the information. I own 2 pairs with green triangle, I love them but the white pair I feel they are somehow wider than the black ones I have. Both are from Top one. Also my normal size is 45 EU and and my Feiyues are 47.. 2 sizes bigger lol but I have a feeling that 46.5 would be perfect for me and so I didn't took a risk to order 46 😁. So for sports I think top one is better right? I hate a lot that glue thing, looks so shitty. In the dafus I think there is no glue pumping out

[@haisulii]

@@sense5972 The rounded bottom pair of dafu I have has slightly less glue sticking out than the top one but it's a lot about luck too. If you use 47 and it's not tight, 46 is probably okay on a Dafu. Top one is more stable because it's thinner, less rounded and grippier, so for sports it's probably a bit better (tho I haven't tried the modern flat dafu so dunno about those), for casual wear dafu is nice when they've been worn enough to flatten the unnecessary padding a bit, my pair had a toebox just a tad less pointy than top one which works better with my feet that are wide in the toes.

[@bud237]

DaFu originally owned the brand “Feiyue”, but later (in the 80s I think) they sold the brand to a company in Shanghai due to Feiyue’s low performance. This company produces the TOP ONE Feiyue (green triangle, brand name Dabowen in China). Then, around 2010, the French guy made Feiyue so popular. DaFu feels so regret and jealous lol, and started to produce Feiyue again. When I was a kid, we only knew Dabowen Feiyue with that green triangle. And I think that’s what Kungfu masters wear.

[@TouhouNazrin]

Yes that is all they wear in Dengfeng and the temple and they are top one version and always called as dabowen.

[@andreafranziskajesser8098]

I love Feiyues. TOP ONE are producing the Feiyues used by Shaolins. They have a kind of harder sole and a green triangle on it. Dafu Feiyue has various "sole versions" ones are very comfy, but for training the sole is too soft, and the other is thin and hard. I'm useing all 3, as it was quite a trip to get the right footwear, when I started with Shaolin Martial Arts

[@ZoeCuiM]

Shanghainese here. I only wear the ones with green triangle 🎉

[@uzomarose]

thank you for explaining the relevance of the green triangle🙏🏾

[@jaketan224]

Feiyue must open a store in china. This was the legacy of chairman mao. This shoe brand must returned and show to the world how that french guy stole the 100 yr old Chinese shoe brand.

[@heidiguo2678]

GREAT VIDEO!! love the content and the way it is presented. Even I want a pair omggg❤️

[@passion5356]

you should get one, or two, or even three!! they're really cheap and is worth every dime.

[@furrnicka8394]

Can someone advise me how to legally order Chinese original feiyue shoes, considering I live in eastern europe and definitely want to dodge the french version of the shoes... I don't want a copy of a copy of... you get the idea. Thank you! :*

[@rodrigomadeiraafonso3789]

Just look for the 20€ version thats the chinese one

[@ismaelputz1052]

I have always loved these shoes. I am looking to see who I can get in contact with from this company for a new shoe design that I have been thinking about. Only would like to work with this company. Can explain further. Is there someone I can speak with regarding this matter? Thank you

[@272roby]

Link to buy a originai cinese pair please - I love it

[@horuslupercalaurelian1569]

Goddamn Bastian! The Chinese are always better. They work harder, greater culture, more original. Hence a better shoe. A shoe for strictly fashion, makes for a weaker person. You must use it for practical reasons, and looking cool while you kickass will always follow.

[@kuzushi7389]

There is no fucking comparison between chinese feiyue and French feiyue. I have them all Top One, Dafu Feiyue, French feiyue and the difference in detail and quality between the French ones to the Chinese is HUGE. People like remain loyal to their origins but it isn't really worth it. Just because they have Chinese origins doesn't mean that other people can't do good or even better than them. All the Chinese ones that I bought they lack attention to details, less quality materials and small imperfections if seen with carefully. The French ones are more expensive but they are just pure art. Even the laces are carefully designed in their especial editions. Of course, for martial arts the Chinese ones are better because they are cheaper and more flexible. I train with both and yes I prefer the cheaper Chinese ones to train, because if I destroy them I don't blame about my money. But in terms of quality and longer lasting. Don't even hesitate to buy the FRENCH ONES.

[@wadebastero6329]

Personally i think that the PRC Feiyue is like "The Chappelle's Show" and the France Feiyue is Like Comedycentral. Legally the Rights belong to the France company. But man......

[@Goldthread]

LOL that's one way to put it

[@tiger-rgn]

beautifull shoes, i remember when EVEYRONE had a pair in paris france, it was so fashionable

[@Adamsnadler214]

How do I buy the real ones? All I can find are the French

[@jackzhou4813]

Online shopping, Chinese Feiyue shoes can be bought in China for less than US$20, and French Feiyue cannot be bought in China, because in China, French Feiyue is considered an infringing product.

[@dratorak1]

Is your link broken to buy a pair?

[@TheRealTomahawk]

The originals are made in China and the French ones are made in France? Or Taiwan or something?

[@weilm]

i just received a new 'improved' version from dafu. the main shoe is no longer a minimalistic shoe. it feels exactly like a pair of chuck taylor's, albeit at a cheaper price. The width of the shoe is at MEDIUM width, so this shoe(even though it claims to have a wide toebox) isn't suitable for people with wide feet like myself, I usually wear 2E width shoes. The length of the shoe runs true to indicated sizing.

[@cristiinablanco]

where can i buy them at 2022?

[@sparkyjones560]

"We bake our shoes, ya want pepperonis on that?"

[@theforcewithin369]

Ive bought many.... one pair in China for 1$ or something like that, 15 years ago, they lasted only few days training on rough concrete, these shores the og feiyue are for training on soft ground

[@theforcewithin369]

Yeah, we kung fu practitioners always buy og from china, these are not meant to be street shoes, they are cheap training shoes meant to be very soft, almost like boxing gloves for a kung fu practitioners feet

[@MeatyWhack]

Sat here waiting for that Live Leak icon to appear

[@azndoodle1]

That real sucks that international intellectual property doesn't align with local intellectual property. But good job getting lemons to make lemonade!

[@ANTONtheANTON]

Where’s the link to the shows? :(

[@moredatesmorefiber3526]

what does DaFu mean?

[@IcaroJudah]

Now I want one...

[@Goldthread]

Check out our store, Ocaro!

[@kyleterry5190]

Is there a website or ecommerce platform where I can buy the shoes?

[@stingraytingvideo]

They mention at the end of the video that the Goldthread shop stocks some Chinese Feiyue shoes.

[@bbehzadi413]

Where can we get the Dafu shoes now?

[@Vhc706]

I just wish they would make half sizes

[@VERONICASFULL]

where are. my Feiyue shoes!!!! I got the European version and got so mad they are not the original and the details are obviously!!!!!! why I didn't watch this video before. Damn it!!

[@Goldthread]

😬

[@jonathannamvong2757]

@@Goldthread do the Chinese feiyue have a website that you could buy directly from them?

[@wbfojnewton1]

I would like to purchase "The Real DaFu"..in a high top.I seem to be getting confused. First I read red dotes are from the French imposters,then I see red dots on the shoes being made in this video...at a China factory.Then there is the size issue,I would like the equivelant to a U.S. 10,is that a 43 or a 44 or a 45 ?

[@Nabiyah1]

Love Love Love this video! Well done! One question though, you show the green triangle bottom label Feiyue, but don't speak to what that particular shoe represents in the saga of What is the Real Feiyue. Where are the green triangle bottom labeled Feiyue from? And also Top One on the Tongue? What does it mean? Thank you for your feedback!

[@jaketan224]

That french guy, was solding a fake feiyue as he wasn't given the authority by the owner of original feiyue to copy the product. He only coordinated with the Contractor which wasn't the owner of the brand. Feiyue comes from chairman mao, it was his idea.

[@masterkoi29]

Adidas shoes coffee feiyue design and Chinese people must promote feiyue as it was a Chinese brand

[@FrederickZabala3000]

I remember seeing something Simi to these in Puerto Rico, They Were Called Butterfly, they're very identical except the soles were Green and were mostly worn by women

[@johnvelas70]

12 hrs day I wear corks (spike soled logging boots). After work I used to wear Mens Keds (which are no longer made). They lasted me 11 years. How long will these last?

[@evenbet9603]

But does it make a better wrestling foot gear than the Onisuka Tiger?

[@evenbet9603]

A Shot Of Smoothie Thanks for the info. The retro style is cool, my wrestling days are over, so I’ll be looking for an urban walking shoe.

[@thewanderingrey8830]

They are perfect for walking and for riding motorcycles. I have a pair. Will get another when I get the chance.

[@Numantino312]

@Raphael Gallo lateral movement on heel may have more to do with individual foot different brands work differently on different peoples' feet that's why say, adidas fits one person perfectly, yet not so well on someone else, and on it goes with different people, different brands, and different sneaker types, ie wrestling, basketball, running, etc had to learn this the hard way cos my own feet are shaped pretty weird; narrow heel/ankle, wide at toes; my own way around it is that i can wear almost any brand for biking, whereas with anything for walking/running, i have to be very perfectionist and use insoles, etc. while i wish feiyue well, i'm kind of mad at beijing/ccp, so i'd stick with onisuka tiger/asics based on principle anyways

[@tomaschaparro502]

luv this video!!

[@borisblok]

Great video!

[@GTPressure]

Anyone got an updated website I could go for a pair ?

[@RambloManiacs]

Why didn't you talk about the green triangle top one versions?

[@Xienzee]

Love these shoes super great for lion dancing and dragon dancing

[@nigesxphoebus]

Wish I could get the originals and not the french ones, i tried the link and its not working

[@FabioRoberti0706]

me too.. any solutions?

[@az197]

I love the original chinese feiyue for martial arts.Most kung fu schools have a connection to get the originals for their students and since they take a beating during training, I rather use them than pay extra for the foreign "designer" ones.

[@andypenny8473]

I've gone to the website, but unfortunately can't seem to find where I can purchase these, can somebody help please?

[@Mill-Yun]

What happened to the store for the feiyue shoes?

[@Goldthread]

Sorry, we discontinued it, because shipping was tough! :(

[@nullvoid2001]

Do they have a website to buy the shoes directly from them?

[@matthewderwentwapples9771]

@@thewanderingrey8830 Good luck with the lawsuit. Break international trademark laws owch $$$$

[@thewanderingrey8830]

@@matthewderwentwapples9771 LOL I don't think you know how trademark laws work, m8. Especially in regards to Feiyue's case and how they were settled.

[@rudybarbosa6228]

Damn it its all in Chinese

[@shynizz]

@@rudybarbosa6228 Use Google Chrome

[@jbb2660]

"Feiyue!…Feiyue!…"

[@paaranc]

Does someone know if feiyue DaFu change their brand name just to DaFu?

[@SLABONECHD]

lso zapatos perfectos para practicar Kung Flow Flex

[@Daigilia]

Where can we buy these shoes in stores? Does Da Fu have shops in China or Hong Kong?

[@angjin3074]

From video descriptions. "P.S. If you’re interested in snagging a pair, we have a limited supply of Chinese Feiyues at our shop! Check it out here: gt4.life/feiyue"

[@Daigilia]

Ang Jin yes I saw them on their site but I was looking to buy them in person so I could try them on before I bought them. I actually found a Feiyue shop in Yangshou, China!

[@staffordcook5721]

That is sooo fucked but hay it happens both ways

[@g.berwald5312]

Grown and Healthy mad it to the video yeah

[@jaidensanchez6844]

I luv you

[@TheLockWhisperer]

bro whats their online website??

[@koffing2073]

aliexpress

[@TheLockWhisperer]

@@koffing2073 lol na I want direct to manufacture , not imposters

[@joey3785]

Man your site is under maintenance 😔

[@SLABONECHD]

excelentes tenis de kung fu masters

[@hongrebel5439]

$15 vs $50

[@andrewpaul6221]

Hong Rebel quality vs quantity

[@hongrebel5439]

John Doe Which one is “quality”?. Well, I think they are basically the same thing.

[@passion5356]

@@andrewpaul6221 they actually have good quality. i got some canvas high tops which was really comparable to my converse ones.

[@jackzhou4813]

@@passion5356 As long as it is a brand, the quality is guaranteed. The only difference is that the expensive one may use a better material (such as cowhide and a higher density rubber sole)

[@phsyckomantis]

I want a pair if 501's

[@shirlz7571]

you can go check the instagram page: shirllamoon, they are selling the original Feiyue.

[@giodexialamine7914]

This is genius marketing to hype a brand that has nothing special about it. Sorry but someone had to say it

[@princessjellyfish6057]

Nothing special except they're worn by olympic monks, gymnasts, and free runners/parkour athletes

[@thewanderingrey8830]

Well neither are Converse and Vans. If you want to be frank about it; brands are just empty hypes. At the very least they are cheap, durable and comfortable to wear (due to its elastic soles) compared to Vans and Converse. I own all three btw.

[@giodexialamine7914]

Princess Jellyfish so nobody’s and some athletic nobody’s who are basically useless because they take vows of silence anyways

[@shynizz]

@@thewanderingrey8830 And also they look good to me

[@osscarfransson]

Let the Chinese get a taste of their own medicine. The western version is of higher quality than the Chinese, but of course at a higher cost, still cheaper than other shoes with the same materials (i.e. Converse or Palladium)

[@kylin3197]

lol that mantou analogy is great

[@tidarattubtimyoi2565]

Unfortunately not on Banggood !

[@KK-mk6xm]

东单那一期不发了吗

[@Goldthread]

hi，日落东单发了。最近一期视频，感谢关注～^^ kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmHHnqCCnqeEqdk

[@viktoshaah]

Супер!

[@editname7450]

Where can I buy a legit pair for under $40

[@wind871]

Amazon

[@sherylndao3889]

Cheddar.

[@alex-qo6qb]

it looks like kodachi shoes

[@shynizz]

Aliexpress bois

[@masterkoi29]

Was there a french language called feiyue??? This french company must be sued for using a Chinese brand who was already existed since chairman mao era. Chinese people must boycott the french feiyue. Fei Yue wasa chinese language.

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Cool, the brands Top One, Tiger Claw, Dafu and Zelten are all legit Feiyue brands and all chinese brands. Feiyu with the Feiyu logo is the american version (street wear version, more stiff), by a french company, redesigned from the Feiyue kung fu version from Dafu which is more flexible than the street wear version (the american version). Dafu is the original makers of the Feiyue shoes and the parent company is Double Coin but Dafu has gone with the sole style and version of the french version (Feiyue with Feiyue logo on the tongue) whichis american version that's more for street wear instead of martial arts. So if one ones the street wear, Dafu (which doesn't have the Feiyue on the side) the original maker or the Feiyue by the french company with the Feiyue logo on the tongue (american version) that's the one to buy but if one wants the kung fu version of Feiyue, it's the Top Brand, Tiger Claw or Zelten. These are are all legit Feiyues but there are true fake Feiyus that have these brands (or a different name making them not fakes but inferior clones) but are inferior, the sole and quality of the make is inferior. God bless.

[@TouhouNazrin]

A lot of the tiger claw version I've found to be a lot more long and pointed in the toe cap. I will only trust the top one.

[@Laurent388]

French guy Bastian won’t win my support. Not authentic

[@brekdakbanchamek6454]

FEIYUE Shoes are originally made for chinese Military back then that's why The original Chinese FEIYUE Shoes is Durable and Stretchable and has perfect soft soles Rather than the French Feiyue That it's damn Stiff It's not wushu shoes anymore.

[@osscarfransson]

The FEIYUE shoes are anything but durable. They are less stiff YES, but are of lesser quality compared to the European version. The EU soles take time to break in, compared to the Chinese that gets destroyed within 2 months. If you want the original get the Chinese, if you want better quality that lasts for years get the European (like everything else :') )

[@wind871]

There great for parkour in the gym that is. Pros are you can wear the without socks as the insole is. Shoes that would come up when you take your foot out if you where bear foot wearing regular tennis shoes. So you can wear the shoes with or without socks. There very flexible and comfy. Cons. If your looking for parkour shoes you could get these but I would not train height drops in these no matter how good your landing is your gonna feel your feet alot. And it not that absorbent. So your feet will get bruised. The sole takes a while to break in and if you train in them outside on concrete or brick they dont last long. As there not very durable.

[@ceciliathai2036]

bruh u literally have like 5 pairs of these from martial arts didn't know it was that popular 💀

[@dfernandez3482]

Does it have that Made In China smell? 🤔

[@passion5356]

plus, you can just put them outside for a day and let the air do the work 😌

[@weilm]

i just received a pair i ordered online, from DAFU. they don't stink of rubber. but the width is medium, like chuck taylor's. wide toebox is non-existent.

[@matthewderwentwapples9771]

This is a very biased onesided view. There's no real mention of them copying TigerClaw, the fact the "original" Feiyue company went bankrupt and then DaFu (after Feiyue Europe) established and copied the higher quality styles that were already being sold globally. They are basically a copy of tiger claw + feiyue Europe. DaFu claim to be authentic when they have less heritage than their Chinese and European Feiyue cousins.

[@davidagostinho1807]

So China has a history of copying and reverse engineering foreign brands, but they don't like it when others do it...Oh the sweet irony..

[@davidagostinho1807]

@Dave WA actually low key fuck america a little bit, and they're proxy wars and invading sovereign nations for economic interests.

[@Blackfeet]

lol fuckery.