Li Ning, the Chinese footwear and apparel giant, debuted its first running shoe in the U.S. market this week. Called the Fremont, the 7-ounce style is named after Portland's Fremont Bridge.
The minimalist shoe will be available for purchase for $85 at the Li Ning store in Portland as well as Fit Right NW stores in Portland and Vancouver, according to a report in The Oregonian. The U.S. team then plans to sell the collection at specialty running shops in Oregon and Washington before looking to expand it to across the country at running specialty. Future models will carry names of other bridges in Portland, or in the company's native China.
In August, Champs Sports became the first U.S. retailer to partner with Li-Ning in the U.S. when it began selling basketball shoes and apparel endorsed by Baron Davis of the Los Angeles Clippers.
