Sports
Qiaodan in Brazil: Plans of the Chinese Running Giant
Represented by R1 Sports, the brand brings carbon-plated shoes, local inventory, and eyes major races.
Qiaodan has officially entered the Brazilian market through distributor R1 Sports. Known for its carbon-plated footwear technology and for outfitting Kelvin Kiptum in his marathon debut, the Chinese brand aims to challenge major players with high performance at competitive prices.
With roughly six thousand brand stores across China and established as the fourth-largest running brand in its home market, Qiaodan is now officially operating in Brazil. Exclusive representation and distribution in the country are managed by R1 Sports, a sports equipment distributor with over 25 years of experience and a strong background in racket sports such as tennis, beach tennis, padel, and pickleball.
The Brazilian operation focuses on solving key pain points for runners who previously had to rely on direct cross-border imports. With a distribution center based in São Paulo and sales through its official website, customers benefit from local stock, fast delivery within two to three business days, official invoicing, warranties, and hassle-free size exchanges under the Consumer Defense Code.
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Performance Lineup: PB 6.0 and the Blade Family
Qiaodan's debut portfolio in Brazil targets the high-performance segment with carbon-plated shoes featuring 100% PEBA midsoles and Kung Fu Pro HP foam technology. Highlights include the Feng PB 6.0—a marathon racer weighing approximately 212 grams with visible side carbon plates—and the Blade 2.0, with the Blade 3.0 slated to arrive in the domestic market during the second half of the year.
In addition to mechanical responsiveness and lightness comparable to leading global supershoes at significantly lower price points, another technical advantage highlighted by the brand is the durability of its cushioning compound and outsole, engineered to last up to 600 km—well above the average for traditional race-day shoes. The lineup also features the Feng Pro 3.0, designed for training runs with a full-length carbon plate.
Portfolio Expansion and Race Ecosystem Presence
Beyond top-tier models, R1 Sports plans to introduce non-plated mid-range running shoes priced between R$ 699 and R$ 799, catering to everyday runners for daily mileage. The brand is also exploring entry into specialty running stores as retail demand grows.
The strategy to engage Brazilian runners includes physical activations at major road races across the country. Following an appearance at the Saint Silvester Road Race, the brand secured an official booth at the São Paulo International Marathon to showcase products, offer gait analysis tests, and connect runners with the brand's heritage—which includes the memorable marathon debut of the late world record holder Kelvin Kiptum at the Valencia Marathon, where the Kenyan ran 2:01:53 wearing Qiaodan's PB 3 model.
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