Felt boot sales have surged dramatically in recent months, climbing by 373 percent, according to the Honest Sign labeling system’s press service. Prices have stayed steady amidst the rising demand.
Output in the felt boot sector rose by 20 percent in the latest period, reaching 302 thousand pairs in the third quarter of this year, up from 249 thousand in the same quarter last year. Across the first nine months of the current year, Russia produced over 670 thousand felt boots. The third quarter of 2023 also showed a strong lift in production, with volumes nearly 62 percent higher than the second quarter of 2023, signaling solid winter preparation and capacity utilization.
In 2023, the leading regions for felt boot production are highlighted by the Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod regions, with the Republic of Tatarstan also ranking among the top three. Valenki remain a staple in the seasonal wardrobe; when comparing the first nine months of 2022 and 2023, overall sales stayed around the same level. During the second quarter of 2023, warmer weather contributed to a notable dip in sales, yet by the third quarter, demand recovered strongly, increasing more than threefold as preparations for cold weather picked up.
Online channels are gaining share in this segment as well. In 2023, about 86 percent of felt boot sales came through retail outlets, while online purchases rose by 43 percent over the first nine months of the year compared with the previous year. These insights come from Anna Petrushina, head of the Legprom product line at the Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies, which operates the Honest Sign labeling system.
Prices for felt boots have remained stable despite the rising demand. The autumn spike did not push up the weighted average; in fact, prices edged down slightly. The average price paid in the second quarter of 2023 was around 1,369 rubles, dipping to roughly 1,332 rubles in the third quarter.
Market watchers note that consumers are balancing demand with value when selecting autumn and winter wardrobe essentials, with felt boots continuing to be a practical, affordable option as cooler weather approaches.