Warrior Shanghai
Shanghai Huayi (Group) Company · China
Warrior, known in Chinese as Huili, is a Shanghai shoe brand founded in 1927 and regarded as China's first rubber shoe brand. It makes canvas sneakers for basketball, tennis, badminton and everyday wear.
| Founded | 1927, Shanghai |
|---|---|
| Owner | Shanghai Huayi (Group) Company |
| Chinese name | Huili |
| Products | Canvas athletic shoes |
| Website | warriorshoes.com |
What is Warrior Shanghai?
Warrior (Huílì, 回力) is an athletic shoe brand from Shanghai, China, founded in 1927 and described as the country's first rubber shoe brand. It is owned by Shanghai Huayi (Group) Company. The Huili trademark was created by Yuan Shusen and registered in 1934.
History
In the Republic of China era, Warrior was regarded as a high-end brand known for innovative marketing. From the 1960s to the early 1980s it became a nationwide shoemaker. As foreign sports brands gained popularity from the mid-1980s, Warrior became associated with older, working-class customers, before a retro revival brought it back into fashion, with imports to Western markets.
Products and positioning
The range includes canvas sneakers for basketball, tennis, table tennis and badminton, as well as Clubman-style shoes. In China the shoes are sold at accessible prices to retro-minded customers in fashionable city districts.
Distribution
In Europe the brand is sold through fashion and sneaker retailers, and a European line has also been marketed under the name WOS33.
Why it matters
Warrior is a leading example of a heritage Chinese brand rediscovered by Western sneaker culture, showing the appeal of authentic archive designs.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Warrior shoes from?
Warrior shoes come from Shanghai, China, where the brand was founded in 1927.
Who owns Warrior shoes?
Warrior is owned by Shanghai Huayi (Group) Company.