Sun, sand, and now—sneakers. Once the land of laid-back chappals and sandy soles, Goa’s slipping into something far sleeker. The global sneaker wave—born in the 1980s on the basketball courts of the US and fanned by hip-hop culture and Nike’s game-changing Air Jordans—has finally made its way to our susegad shores. And it’s not just hypebeasts showing off their Travis Scott x Jordans or Yeezy Foam Runners; everyday folks are lacing up Adidas Sambas, Onitsuka Tigers, and Nike Dunks as a form of self-expression, flex, and function. Credit the wanderlusters—Goans returning from Dubai, London, or Melbourne with suitcases heavier in sole than soul. With no flagship stores or thriving retail culture, hunting for a pair of Jordans here feels like chasing monsoon lightning. Add import duties, GST, and the “Goa tax” of red soil and humidity, and your sneakers might just need their own skincare routine. Still, the sneaker tech is wild—think Boost midsoles, Flyknit uppers, Zoom Air, sustainable algae-based foams—basically, high-performance couture for your feet. And despite Goa’s sneaker-hostile climate (monsoons are merciless, white soles attract red soil like bees to bebinca), the culture is growing. Not for likes, not always for the 'Gram, but for the love of the drop, the design, and the sheer joy of wearing art on your feet—even if it means stuffing silica sachets like it's a personality
trait.
Kicks so fresh, they need a fan club
Elton Rebello wears his heart on his soles. A Goan IT architect based in Dubai, this 37-year-old doesn’t just love sneakers—he lives in them. “I wear sneakers everywhere. Gym? Sneakers. Airport? Sneakers. Wedding? I’ll try to make it work,” he jokes.
With over 35 pairs in rotation, his collection includes heavy hitters like the Travis Scott x Jordan lineup, classics from the Air Force series, Onitsuka Tigers, Adidas Superstars, and even Veja, which he admires for their sustainability. “I like shoes that feel good and do good. Veja as a brand contributes to environmental sustainability, and I can wear them pretty much anywhere,” he says.
But he’s no slave to trends. “I don’t follow anyone. I go by what feels right—comfort, colour, and if it makes me happy. That’s it.”
And yes, maintenance is a full-time hobby. “My whites stay white, my colours stay crisp. I treat my sneakers just like my clothes,” he laughs. “It’s a task in Goa too—with all the red soil, you’ve got to be extra cautious or your white pair ends up looking like a rust experiment.”
Despite the obsession, Elton isn’t stingy with his stash. “I’ve gifted quite a few. Some I bought just because I liked how they looked and felt, but never wore them. So if I vibe with you, you might get lucky.” Currently, he’s hyped for the Adidas Gazelle x Gucci collab from 2021, which he’s dubbed his “final boss pair.” “That one’s gonna be the cherry on top of my collection—until the next drop, of course,” he grins.
Sambas over selfies – quietly kicking it
Fayral Roriguese, a 34-year-old Goan living in Dubai, isn’t flexing her sneakers for Instagram clout—she’s wearing them because they feel like her. “I’m not that person posting new kicks with moody lighting and a Drake lyric. I just wear mine... a lot,” she laughs. “If I like a pair, it goes everywhere with me—errands, dinners, airport runs, everything.”
Back in college in Goa, sneaker culture was barely a whisper. “No one was flaunting kicks—it was more flip-flops and survival mode,” she jokes. But when she moved to Dubai, things changed. “Suddenly I was surrounded by stores packed with colour, texture, hype—it was a whole new world.”
She bought her first pair on impulse, and since then, has grown a tight collection of over 15 pairs—including her beloved Adidas Sambas, and her most sentimental pair: Adidas gifted by her roommate, a fellow sneaker enthusiast.
“We live together and bond over drops and expo visits—Sole DXB is our annual sneaker pilgrimage,” she says. Her choices aren’t guided by hype or resale value—they’re emotional, instinctive, and very much her own. “I don’t care about being trendy. If it’s comfy and has a vibe, it’s going on my feet,” she grins.