10 Billion Sneakers, One City: Jinjiang
You’ve probably heard of Putian, Fujian—famous as the world’s counterfeit sneaker city. But today let’s talk about its neighbor, Jinjiang: China’s largest sneaker manufacturing hub, with a complete supply chain that covers everything from raw materials and molds to finished sneakers. Every year, factories in Jinjiang churn out an estimated 10 to 12 billion pairs of sneakers. In fact, 1 in every 7 people worldwide wear a pair made here.
So, How Are Sneakers Made in Jinjiang?
- Source Raw Materials
Everything from rubber, EVA foam, synthetic leather, mesh, and specialty textiles can be sourced at the local wholesale markets or suppliers. - Create Molds & Lasts
Every sneaker requires two key molds: A metal outsole/midsole mold for injection or compression molding. A foot-shaped form that defines fit and silhouette. - Make the Upper & Stitching
The upper is created from sourced fabrics. After cutting and assembling fabric panels, the upper is mounted on the last to form its 3D foot shape. - Shaping & Finishing
The shaped upper is combined with the sole unit using pressing machines. This step ensures the components are securely bonded. - Packaging & Shipping
The final product is shipped either in individual custom shoeboxes or directly in larger cartons, depending on the requirements.
The Jinjiang International Footwear Wholesale Market is China’s largest and most complete marketplace for sneaker materials. Here, you can find everything from rubber soles and EVA foam to synthetic leathers, mesh fabrics, and vibrant textiles. It’s a goldmine for sneaker designers and brands, offering a huge range of materials to bring any sneaker design to life.
Putian vs. Jinjiang
While Putian became famous as a hub for major foreign brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma to outsource their manufacturing, Jinjiang stands out for its complete footwear ecosystem—covering raw materials, design, R&D, and manufacturing. Actually, Jinjiang is where a new generation of Chinese sportswear brands is born and nurtured, including Li-Ning, Anta, and Xtep. For example, Anta collects data from runners to refine their shoes. This shows how brands here leverage local expertise to create sneakers tailored for real runners’ needs.
Why You Pay for Molds and Others Don't
Great question. When you hear about others not paying mold fees, it’s usually for one of these reasons:
- They’re Using “Public Molds”
Think of it like ordering from a “basic sneaker template” — the outsole, midsole, and last are already made. You just put your logo or colorway on top. It’s like choosing a plain white T-shirt and printing your own design. - They’re Riding on a “Hot” Design
Sometimes, factories have already invested in molds for a “hot-selling” style. They might offer this mold to you for free. That saves cost, but those designs often look very similar to big-name brands. It’s a risky game to play. - Big orders cover the cost
For very large volumes, factories are often willing to waive the mold fee because they’ll earn enough from production. It seem like a great deal, but here’s the catch: unless the contract clearly states. Otherwise, the factory might use that same mold to make shoes for other clients too.
The Cost of Going Custom
At this stage, if you want to create your own design. For example, a unique outsole pattern, special textures, or an EVA cushioning midsole insert. The mold cost usually starts at around $1,000 per shoe style per size, and more complex designs can be significantly higher. To reduce risk, we recommend starting with 3D-printed prototypes for checking shape, fit, and design details. It’s much faster and more affordable than jumping straight into full mold production.
Beyond the shoes themselves, brands can also stand out with creative details like hangtags, labels, or packaging. For example, once we helped a UK client customize a magnetic foldable box that looked premium but also kept shipping cost-efficient.
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