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Nostalgia of Classic Brazilian Sneakers Reinvents Itself with a New Look at the Icons of Alpargatas, Combining the Past and New Fashion Trends with a Touch of Authenticity and History.
Long before international brands dominated the national market, companies like Kichute, Bamba, Montreal, and Rainha marked the steps of a generation in the 1980s.
These shoes, produced by Brazilian companies, won the feet and hearts of young people in a period when vibrant colors, boldness, and authenticity were symbols of status and identity.
With the rise of major foreign brands starting in the 1990s, many of these national manufacturers lost ground.
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However, a growing nostalgic movement in recent years has reignited interest in these classic models, and some brands have even attempted a return to the market. Below, understand what happened to each of these iconic brands.
Kichute: The Symbol of Street Soccer
Kichute became a true icon among Brazilian boys in the 1970s and 1980s, especially those passionate about soccer.
Manufactured by Alpargatas, the model was launched in 1970, following Brazil’s third World Cup championship.
With a rubber sole and laces that rose to the ankle, Kichute was ideal for playing on dirt fields.
At its peak, the model sold over 9 million pairs per year, becoming one of the most profitable shoes for Alpargatas.
However, starting in the 1990s, the massive influx of imported sneakers and changes in consumer habits led to its decline.
In 2022, Grupo Alexandria announced the return of the brand focusing on digital sales, without physical retail locations. The project promised to relaunch the shoes in 2023, but by May 2025, the promised models had not yet hit the market, causing frustration among nostalgia enthusiasts.
Conga: The Basic Footwear That Became Trend
Launched in 1959, also by Alpargatas, Conga was an immediate success in the 1960s and solidified as a craze among young people in the 1970s and 1980s.
With a simple and versatile design, it became a constant presence in Brazilian schools and streets.
It was common to see children and teenagers wearing the model for sports activities and in their daily lives.
By the early 1990s, the brand was discontinued due to strong international competition.
Today, Conga no longer exists as a brand, but its classic style continues through companies like Arezzo, Anacapri, and Mr. Cat, which invest in modern reinterpretations of the model.
Bamba: The Brazilian Cousin of All Star
Another major success from Alpargatas was Bamba, launched shortly after Conga.
Inspired by the classic All Star, Bamba offered a similar proposal, featuring colored canvas and a rubber sole, making it accessible and stylish.
In the 1980s, the sneaker became synonymous with urban youth.
However, like Conga, Bamba was withdrawn from the market in the early 1990s, negatively impacted by the increased production of foreign brands that began to offer more competitive prices.
The model made a comeback in the 2000s, fueled by the retro wave, with revamped versions and new colors.
In 2022, the same company that attempted to bring back Kichute also promised to relaunch Bamba, but like the Kichute project, the new products have not yet been made available.
Rainha: From Luxury to Sports
Founded in 1934 by Saad & Cia, Rainha began using autoclave technology — an advanced process for its time — in the manufacture of its shoes.
However, the brand’s leap to stardom occurred in 1978, after its acquisition by Alpargatas, which repositioned Rainha as a widely recognized sports brand.
During the 1980s, the brand gained prominence by sponsoring the Pirelli team, becoming a symbol of Brazilian volleyball.
Rainha was a pioneer in strategically merging sports and marketing in Brazil, which helped strengthen its name among consumers.
In 2015, the brand was acquired by BR Sports, controlled by the Sforza Group, led by entrepreneur Carlos Wizard Martins — also responsible for Topper.
Today, Rainha maintains operations with e-commerce and physical stores in states like São Paulo and Minas Gerais, offering products aimed at both nostalgic audiences and new consumers seeking affordable models.
Montreal: The Darling of Sunday in the Park
Montreal gained prominence not so much for design or innovation, but for its notable presence on television.
In the 1980s, the sneaker became famous thanks to its participation in segments of the show “Domingo no Parque,” hosted by Silvio Santos. Children participated in games where they could trade prizes for a pair of the highly desired “Montreal Sneakers.”
Although not manufactured by Alpargatas, the brand managed to stand out and establish its name in popular imagination.
Over the years, the company was sold and began operating in Nova Serrana (MG), an important hub of the footwear industry in Brazil.
However, since 2015, there have been no relevant updates about the brand on its social media, and the official website has been taken down.
The digital absence reinforces the idea that Montreal has been unable to keep up with the modernization and digitization of the sector.
The Retro Wave That Rekindles Affective Memory
The return of these brands, even if timid or symbolic, is no coincidence.
In recent years, the fashion market has heavily invested in nostalgia, bringing back products that reference the 1980s and 1990s.
This strategy targets both consumers who experienced that era and younger individuals who see these items as authentic and “vintage.”
Classic models like Kichute, Bamba, and Conga, for instance, are frequently found in thrift stores, collector groups, or in custom versions by independent designers.
At the same time, the presence of these brands in digital conversations, such as forums and social media, indicates a renewed interest in products with history and national identity.
In the current context, marked by a quest for authenticity, the revival of these sneakers goes beyond aesthetics: it is a symbolic return to simpler times, street soccer, school uniforms, and the unfiltered style of past generations.
And you, if you could relive the 1980s with one of these sneakers on your feet, which model would you choose to step out in retro style?
Dessas marcas todas, a única que “dava para usar” era a Rainha.
Eu não conheço tênis mais **** e cafona do que o Conga, mas os horrorosos Kichute e Bamba não ficam atrás no quesito mau gosto.
Sugestão de pauta: picolés Yopa e a marca US-Top, da Alpargatas.
Bamba, mas custa quase 500 reais.
Gostaria que retornasse o kichute resistente . Porque são tantas novidades que o consumidor se perde. E porque seria uma boa lembrança para os brasileiros. Um sapato simples e dura duradouro.