The geeks have spoken and the new sneaker line by KlearGear.com, Geek Sneaks, is a hit. The five styles of slip-on sneakers with designs that appeal to the math, computer or science nerd in all of us sold out within the first 14 hours. The pi sneaker was the best-selling shoe, followed by the periodic table design, then the circuit board, the constellation and finally the computer code.
“[The sellout] was a very big surprise, completely unanticipated,” says CEO of Chenal Brands (parent company of KlearGear) Will Bermender. The website, which calls itself a one-stop shop for geeks, only ordered 850 pairs, which KlearGear.com President Lee Gersten thought would last at least a month.
If your idea of celebrating National Geek Pride Day today was ordering yourself a pair of periodic table sneaks, you’re going to have to wait until August to get your hands on them. KlearGear.com, however, is giving a discount on pre-orders at $49.95 a pair. The sneakers normally retail for $69.95. The pre-order customers can also enjoy 20 percent off other store items.
Bermender said they are already going to have to schedule a third shipment after August due to the large amount of orders.
Because of this high demand, KlearGear is in the early stages of finding a partner for its shoe venture as it plans to expand in the future. “We’re trying to get our arms around the whole sales forecasting process,” Bermender explains. “We’re looking for a partner who is experienced inside the shoe business that is able to handle logistics and allow us to continue growing and keep up with demand.”
Bermender believes the timing of this geek-inspired footwear has a lot to do with the line’s success. “This seems to be the year of the geek,” he says. “You’re looking at a slew of comic book movies and a lot of buzz around National Geek Pride Day, and it’s something our customer base has really clicked with because it’s another way to express themselves.” He added that although there are many places that sell “geeked” out shirts and hoodies, shoes to satisfy the nerdy palate were hard to find.
“We were looking for comfort [in design],” he said. “There are even some customers who purchased more than one style and they mix-up the styles when they wear them. They’re having a lot of fun with that.”
While the first five styles are sure to be available in August, KlearGear is also on the lookout for new designs to add to its footwear collections that could include the comic book and gaming genres. Graphic designers can earn $500 if they submit their design to KlearGear.com and it’s chosen by the geek powers that be.
Happy National Geek Pride Day! Live long and prosper.
