Rundefeated

Ever wondered why, despite Indonesia being one of the world’s largest shoe factories — with your favorite kicks probably having a little “Made in Indonesia” label under the tongue — this tropical archipelago isn’t famous as a sneakerhead’s paradise? You’d think Bali’s beaches and Bromo’s sunrise would be followed by a sneaker shopping spree, right? But no. Tourists still flock to Bangkok’s Platinum Mall, Tokyo’s Harajuku, or Seoul’s Hongdae when hunting for footwear, while Jakarta’s malls quietly stock original Nikes and Adidases at prices that’ll make your wallet weep tears of joy.

It’s one of life’s great mysteries. Like why a pineapple is neither pine nor apple. Or why runners keep buying running sunglasses only to lose them after one half marathon. The fact is, Indonesia makes millions of pairs of shoes every year for brands like Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Hoka, Skechers, and New Balance — and yet, it never branded itself as a shopping mecca for kicks. Probably because half the country doesn’t realize their factory work is globally coveted and the other half is too busy queueing for promo deals on rice cookers.

Now, before you pack your passport and a suitcase with extra space for sneaker boxes, a fair warning: yes, counterfeit products do exist in Indonesia, but nowhere near the legendary black market ecosystem of Vietnam. Here, if you avoid sketchy Instagram shops with names like “Nikee_Originalz88” or dimly-lit market stalls selling Yeezy Air Max Jordans, you’ll be fine. And that’s where I come in, like a sneaker Sherlock, to point you in the right direction.

When it comes to legit shoe hunting in Indonesia, two names dominate the scene: Sportstation-Planetsport duo and JD. No, not JD like your cousin Jeffery Daniels. I mean JD Sports — the global franchise you probably saw in Singapore or London, wearing its green and black logo like a badge of sneaker honor. JD in Indonesia is surprisingly consistent with global pricing and stock. You won’t find a weird, off-brand “Nikee” here. Just clean, legitimate shoes, priced sensibly, and occasionally graced by sale banners big enough to hide behind during awkward mall encounters.

But the real MVP is Sportstation. If JD is the reliable, international chain, Sportstation is the charming local hero with a network so vast you can’t swing a shoelace without hitting one of its stores. It’s like Starbucks, but for shoes. Pop into any middle-to-upper-class mall or shopping complex in Indonesia, and chances are you’ll see that big blue logo waiting for you, stocked with original goods and a surprisingly good variety of brands.

And here’s the fun part — Sportstation isn’t some random mom-and-pop sneaker shack. It’s owned by Mitra Adiperkasa, or MAP Group for short. If you’re not from Indonesia, you might not know them, but locals do. MAP is basically the Thanos of retail. They hold the infinity stones of brand licenses in Indonesia: Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Skechers, Hoka, Converse, you name it. If it’s trendy, sporty, and fits on your foot, MAP probably sells it.

Oh, and it gets better. MAP Group isn’t just about shoes. This corporate behemoth also happens to be the official franchisee of Starbucks Coffee in Indonesia. Yes — the same Starbucks you rush to for a caramel macchiato after a long run or a shopping spree. So technically, if you grab a frappuccino after snagging discounted Hokas at Sportstation, you’re still giving your money to the same company. A clever retail empire move worthy of applause, or at least a knowing nod from the caffeinated masses.

Since MAP is a public company, they don’t play around with fakes. The only thing fake you might encounter at Sportstation is your excuse for buying “just one more pair” of running shoes when you already own eight. Every item comes with an official price tag, and their sale seasons are a goldmine. I once found a pair of New Balance 327s for $30, and no, my eyes weren’t deceiving me. I checked the label twice like it was a love confession.

Better still, Sportstation and Planetsport — its slightly posher sibling — often stock colorways you won’t easily find elsewhere in Southeast Asia. If you’ve got a thing for obscure Hoka color combos or Adidas Boston editions that aren’t fluorescent green, this is your playground. And since Indonesians are still warming up to brands like Hoka, you might even score a discount on shoes that sell out in minutes back home.

While JD is solid for new releases and global consistency, Sportstation shines for its unexpected gems and seasonal discounts that make grown men cry tears of happiness. You’ll walk in expecting nothing, and come out clutching a pair of Reebok Pumps you forgot existed, but suddenly can’t live without. It’s retail therapy with a plot twist.

For international travelers worried about counterfeits, it’s simple: stick to Sportstation-Planetsport and JD. Don’t follow some shady local who claims he knows a ‘friend’ who sells original Nike Alphaflys for $20 behind a noodle stall. If it sounds too good to be true in Indonesia, it’s either fake, illegal, or about to disintegrate after one rainy jog in Jakarta’s streets.

Another perk of shopping here is the sales staff. They might not always know the difference between a tempo trainer and a carbon-plated racer, but they’ll happily fetch you seven different sizes and colors without the judgmental side-eye you’d get elsewhere. Plus, if you come during a big promo event, you might witness scenes of chaos that rival Black Friday in the US, but with more polite queuing and less hair-pulling.

Indonesia’s shopping malls are also air-conditioned sanctuaries, so you get to escape the tropical heat while inspecting foam midsoles and arguing with yourself about whether you need yet another pair of white sneakers. Spoiler: you do.

So there you have it — a nation that builds the world’s running shoes, sells them at prices that occasionally defy logic, and yet quietly sits out the global sneakerhead map. But that’s about to change, or at least, you now know where to shop when you visit. And if anyone questions why you flew across the world for a discounted pair of Hokas, just smile knowingly and say, “It’s a runner thing.”