Converse, Vans & More - 10 Great Cheap Casual Shoes to Buy in Nairobi

Sneakers are having their moment. The sneaker collection business worldwide is booming -Nike, Converse, Adidas and more are all making more money than ever and people are more in love with shoes than they've ever been. But the rise of Nike shoes in Kenya, alongside other popular brands like Yeezy, has created a "good shoes are always expensive" mentality among Kenyans.

Looking at it objectively, it's easy to understand where that sentiment comes from. Not everyone is willing to dish out anything from Ksh. 3,000 to Ksh. 20,000 just for a pair of shoes. However, getting your hands on a decent looking pair of sneakers is a lot simpler and probably costs a lot less than most people think.

From popular brands like Nike to virtually revered options like Converse, this guide should give you a solid foundation of what to expect, what costs how much and where to get what. Sit back, relax and take a casual scroll through our list of cheap sneakers for someone on a budget.

How cheap is "cheap"?

Since there's no universal definition of what 'cheap' shoes are, we chose to include shoes that can be bought for Ksh. 2500 or less. If you don't consider that cheap, relax. There are ten different options to choose from, and only one or two of them even cross the Ksh. 2,500 threshold.

Additionally, the cheapest item on this list costs Ksh. 1,000. Why? Once we get to the sub-1000 bob level, things start to spiral downwards fast. This space is largely composed of counterfeit brands or unbranded products imported from China. For obvious reasons, we don't review counterfeit products or encourage their purchase.

And finally, it's possible to get a lot of these shoes for prices cheaper than what's listed here. This is meant as a general guide for shoes and not necessarily prices. Also, just a heads up, this list is going to be filled with Vans because as it turns out, Vans are great shoes. If you don't like Vans, be warned.

With that, let's get started.

The Simplest Option: Converse & Vans

When it comes to casual shoes you don't have to think too much about, you can go wrong with either Converse or Vans. They are usually made of canvas and are perhaps the easiest shoes to come across in the streets of Nairobi.

Converse All Star

The Converse All Star is one of the most iconic brands in the world. The shoe design is simple, instantly-recognizable and impossible to mistake. They've managed to stay surprising relevant over the years, considering they were first launched in 1923!

In all that time, the design has barely changed - it's remained a simple shoe, which is a big part of its appeal. They are made from cotton canvas, a very durable material used to make everything from boat sails to tents, and, of course, sneakers. This material is also durable, breathable and lightweight - making it perfect for the first half of the year in Nairobi - when the sun is hot enough to wrinkle your skin off. For the rainy weather, though... not so much.

Another great thing about the simplicity of these shoes is how versatile they are. You barely have to think about your outfits when wearing Converse. They go with everything from business casual attire to streetwear.

You don't really have to think of what to wear when it comes to Converse. Just slap on a t-shirt and well-fitting jeans and you're good. A good pair of Converse All-Stars will also last for about 1 to 2 years, depending on how often you wear them. Even better, Converse look better once you break into them - ie. better with age.

What's the price of original Converse shoes in Kenya?

An original pair of Converse in Kenya is going to set you back anywhere from Ksh. 700 to Ksh. 8,000. That range is so large it's almost unreasonable, but consider this - all the factors mentioned above have contrived to make the Converse the most popular sneakers of all time. In other words, they are also very widely counterfeited. Ultra cheap "Convoose", "Convas" and "Coavespot" (I'm not even Joking) will be about Ksh. 300 if you're good at haggling. Otherwise, it'll cost Ksh. 500 or so.

Freshly-imported from the UK or US, the Converse shoes price in Kenya is considerably higher. Their price will be in the Ksh. 3,500 to Ksh. 5,000 range depending on their type, model and release date. High-top shoes are typically more expensive than low-top shoes, for example.

High-top Converse should cost Ksh. 1,500, at most, from most street vendors but that price shoots up considerably when buying from shops. Most people shouldn't shell out more than Ksh. 2,500 for a pair of Converse. Again, this depends on the model, type, release date and other factors.

Where to buy Converse shoes in Kenya

If you know what you're looking for, you can get an original pair of Converse shoes for cheap from various street vendors. Gikomba is another great place to start your search, but the number of Chinese knock-offs outnumber original shoes by 10-1, so you better have an extra eye out.

Buying Converse shoes online via direct-to-consumer stores like our very own store at Retrobie is also a great option.

Vans Old Skool

Anyone that says they have never owned a pair of Vans is either lying or they don't know what they're missing out on.

The Vans Old Skool was originally meant as a skate shoe but has since exploded in popularity and is now great for basically any occasion. It's a low-top sneaker made from suede and canvas upper - much like Converse All-Stars. And like the Canvas All-Stars, it shares plenty of similarities - they are comfortable, durable and very easy to wear. You don't need to put tremendous amounts of effort into wearing vans.

Even still, the Vans haven't abandoned their original design. The iconic waffle grip sole still makes these shoes the ideal choice for anyone that loves skating.

Off the Wall Vans Authentic

Vans Authentic is another part of the classic Vans lineup. It lives up to the brand's reputation with amazing versatility and quality it offers. It can be worn together with streetwear, light skateboarding, hanging out with friends or even walking around for daily activities. Since they are so light, it is almost impossible to feel fatigued because of them. In addition, they're also quite breathable - no more sweaty feet!

And if you're a sneakerhead, these vans come in a wide range of color options. A new color for every occasion, these are in style all year round.

What's the Vans shoes price in Kenya?

Vans tend to be a bit more expensive than Converse. They aren't as widely counterfeited, so finding ultra-cheap options isn't always easy.

They should set you back anywhere from Ksh. 1,500 to Ksh. 7,000. On the lower end of the spectrum are the normal old school (Old Skool?) shoes we're all so used to. The more expensive ones are likely to be something like ComfyCush Vans.

The average person shouldn't have to pay anything more than Ksh. 2,000 for a pair of Vans though, unless they are exceptionally new (still in the box) or exceptionally rare.

Where to buy Original Vans Shoes in Kenya

Vans shoes are treated a lot like Converse in the Kenyan market.

In other words, you can probably find them at any store that sells Converse shoes - street vendors and markets like Gikomba and Toi would be good places to start.

If you're looking to buy Vans shoes in Kenya online, our very own store at Retrobie is a great place to find assured quality shoes.

Vans or Converse?

If the time came and you had to choose between Vans and Converse, what should you pick? It's very subjective and will mostly depend on your personal preferences and what you intend to do with them. A few things you might want to consider are as follows, though:

Quality

In terms of quality, both Converse and Vans are amazing shoes. They both feature the same vulcanized construction and will thus suffer the same problems as a result of wear and tear.

Comfort

Both shoes are also pretty comfortable. However, that mostly depends on your feet and what you plan on doing with them. Both are generally flat shoes with little to no padding or cushioning under the feet. This makes them particularly terrible for walking long distances or exercise that puts a lot of stress on the feet.

If you don't have an arch on your foot, however, these shoes are a lot more comfortable than other shoes out there. Additionally, Vans tend to be narrower than Converse, so if you have particularly wide feet, they shouldn't be your top choice.

Build quality

Both shoes are made from fabric which makes them very breathable and lightweight. Your feet won't get stuffy in hot weather. The downside is that they both have basically no water resistance. They are very porous, and therefore the worst shoes you can wear when it's raining.

Durability

Vans' waffle sole design is meant for maximum grip, being a skate shoe and all. The All-Stars were originally designed as basketball shoes and aren't nearly as heavily-treaded. For this reason, Vans' sole tends to last longer than Converse for street use.

Other Options: Air Force 1s, Adidas Originals & More

With that, we're now entering the domain of slightly more expensive and perhaps less recognizable shoes than Vans or Converse. The first of these is the Air Force One - Nike's most popular and ubiquitous shoes.

Air Force 1s

What makes these shoes so legendary is the fact that they are really easy to find. You might want to be on the lookout for fakes, of course, but these shoes are impossible to go wrong with.

They are comfortable, versatile and, unlike Vans or Converse, they're waterproof! They may be on the higher end of most people's budgets, but they are definitely worth the money.

Aside from the world-favorite white Air Force 1s, they come in all kinds of colorways - including the lovely Air Force One Shadow.

In addition, Air Force 1 shoes are some of the easiest shoes to customize, since they're white and simply begging to be painted on.

What's the Air Force 1 price in Kenya?

A new pair of Air Force Ones will cost anywhere from Ksh. 2,500 to Ksh. 15,000 depending on the quality, age and condition of the shoes.

Brand new, still-in-the-box Air Force 1s will cost about Ksh. 5,000 to Ksh. 15,000 depending on how difficult they are to find in the market.

The more common Air Force 1s are a lot cheaper, and you should be able to buy them for about Ksh. 2,500 to Ksh. 3,500 second-hand. Anything more and you're paying too much.

adidas Originals Stan Smith

The adidas Originals Stan Smiths are maybe the most recognizable Adidas of all time. They are usually made with a white leather upper and laces. What makes them so distinctive from other kinds of Adidas is the lack of Adidas stripes on the exterior. Instead, this space is occupied by rows of perforations on both sides.

These shoes are cute, very fashionable and can go with almost any pair of jeans, party outfit or for other casual occasions.

How much do adidas Originals Stan Smith cost in Kenya?

You should be able to cop these shoes for around Ksh. 3,500 on the second-hand market and Ksh. 5,000 to Ksh. 7,000 brand new (that is, with the box).

adidas Superstar

The adidas Superstar probably doesn't need any introduction. It's an instantly-recognizable pair of sneakers worn by every "Kevo", "Brayo", "Stevo" and "cool kid" Campus student in the country. Of course, they look absolutely stunning with the somewhat extravagant adidas stripes dominating its sides, too.

While originally designed for on-court use, Superstar has grown to become one of the most popular lifestyle shoes around - popular with everyone from Kanye to Taylor Swift. These comfortable, iconic shoes are maybe the most comfortable and distinctive shoes you'll ever own.

What's the adidas Superstar price in Kenya?

Considering how common and popular they are, the Adidas superstar price in Kenya isn't too steep. The price shouldn't go above Ksh. 3,000. Depending on the retailer, their cost should be aroundKsh. 2,500 or so.

Fortunately, this isn't one of those brands with a wide range of prices and colorways, so anything more than Ksh. 3,000 is too exorbitant (again, unless completely new).

adidas Originals Samba

Another classic pair of shoes in terms of aesthetics is the adidas Originals Samba. These were first designed to be outdoor shoes for playing football but with the backing of famous players like Christiano, these inevitably made it off the pitch.

Both sporty and sleek, these shoes are also very easy to wear. Women can pair them with jeans, shorts, leggings, and dresses without much of a fuss. Men can also benefit from the simplicity of their design - skinny or slim-fit jeans, tracksuits and sweat pants are all acceptable options.

How much do the adidas Originals Samba cost in Kenya?

These may be a bit more difficult to come by as compared to other sneakers on this list, but they aren't all that expensive. They should set you back about Ksh. 2500 on the lower end and Ksh. 7,000 - 8,000 on the higher end.

Reebok Classic

Reebok's Classic has undergone a number of iterations over the past years - from pastel-toned colorways to satin uppers - but in all that time, the pasty white Reebok classic remains the most ageless of shoes.

They were first introduced in the 80s as performance tennis shoes but have since outgrown that reputation. Today, they exist more as a lifestyle pair of shoes as compared to their performance roots.

These stylish shoes look great on people with small feet and thanks to the extra padding, they are some of the most comfortable shoes you can get in its price range. To add to the comfort, these shoes are just flexible and breathable enough that you could be on your feet all day and still feel comfortable.

Again, for sneakerheads, these shoes are infamously known for looking like the Adidas Yeezy Powerphase Calabasas. If Yeezys are way out of your comfort zone, the Reebok Classic is a great option.

A word to the wise - these shoes are hideously difficult to clean, so if you're not into white shoes, they're not the best option out there.

How much does Reebok Classic cost in Kenya?

The Reebok Classic is surprisingly cheap, considering the kind of comfort and quality it offers. That shouldn't be more than Ksh. 3,500 but it will be more likely on the lower end of things, which is about Ksh, 2,500.

Alexander McQueen

If you're one of the people that's tired of the new trendy sneakerhead generation of shoes that look like loaves of bread than something that should go on your foot, you're in luck. The Alexander McQueen abandons the trendy chunky shoe in favor of simple subtlety that draws the eye. They are comparable to the iconic Stan Smith so if you find the lack of general branding appealing, these might be the shoes for you.

The true representation of the quality that is Alexander McQueen is just how popular these shoes are despite the popularity of sneakers like Yeezys. It just goes to show that simplicity is always in fashion.

How much does Alexander McQueen cost?

Being a high fashion brand, these are significantly more expensive than their Stan Smith counterpart. Their price ranges from Ksh. 3,000 to about Ksh. 5,000. They are definitely worth your time.

adidas VL Court 2.0

The adidas VL Court 2.0 design was inspired by classic skate shoes. However, they also borrow the presence of a generous amount of padding, making them incredibly comfortable. The textile cushioned sock liner and suede upper simply add to the already supreme comfort.

They perfectly blend the sporty look afforded by their roots to the clean design, making them stylish all year round. On top of which, the colorways available are so diverse that they go together with basically anything. And for the price, it's more than a deal.

How much does the adidas VL Court 2.0 cost in Kenya?

These shoes are also surprisingly affordable - they should set you back about Ksh. 3,500 to Ksh. 5,000. The only problem is that they are a tough pair to find. If you do find them and they're a bit more expensive, their scarcity is probably the main reason why.