Sneakerheads got their first look at this year’s legendary vault as Russian Bear officially kicked off King of Kicks 2026, with even more coveted kicks set to be revealed in the lead-up to the October finale.
More than just a competition, King of Kicks has become Russian Bear’s flagship culture platform, celebrating the intersection of sneaker culture, music, fashion and street culture while shining a spotlight on the communities and individuals who continue to push culture to the next level.
During the launch event, Siviwe Mgolodela, Senior Brand Manager for Russian Bear, emphasized that the campaign highlights the individuals making significant contributions to sneaker culture. He mentioned, “King of Kicks has grown into much more than a competition. It has become a platform that celebrates creativity, individuality and the communities shaping sneaker culture in South Africa. This launch marks the beginning of another incredible journey, and we’re excited to reveal more of the vault each week as we build towards crowning this year’s King of Kicks.
