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Americans are rethinking their 2025 purchases as the White House tariffs take effect and many people are buying ahead to save themselves money. For style mavens, who enjoy a trendy shoe wardrobe, that means stockpiling their favorite brands.

It's what MarketWatch is describing as "panic-buying" amongst self-proclaimed "sneakerheads" because they all want to lock in an affordable deal. While tariffs to countries like Indonesia and Vietnam are on a 90-day hold, minus the standard 10% tariff, China still manufactures a significant amount of footwear for the U.S. and that is subject to a 145% tariff, per CNBC.

Steve Lamar, president and chief executive of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, told MarketWatch, "If left in place, this extreme tariff on U.S. imports from China, which is in addition to President Trump’s Section 301 tariffs, will lead to higher prices for everyday apparel, footwear and accessories, and higher costs for U.S. manufacturers who rely on materials and items they can only source from China."

Brands including Nike and Adidas cannot shift their production to the U.S. amid the escalating tariffs. Nike alone utilizes 130 factories in Vietnam, and according to the Financial Review, "the U.S. lacks factories with the specialized equipment to make running shoes and workers with the know-how to operate them." The higher tariffs could cause a supply chain issue.

While economists aren't recommending the hoarding approach to shopping in the middle of volatile situation, stocking up isn't a bad idea if a household can afford it.

“People need to know if they can afford to do something like buy three pairs of shoes,” Brian Marks, a senior lecturer at the Department of Economics & Business Analytics at the University of New Haven told MarketWatch. “The uncertainty over the economy, and needing cash during periods of job loss, could outweigh the $40 or so you save by buying shoes ahead of tariffs.”

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