Get All Access for $5/mo

Why Is Everyone Buying These $350 Big Red Boots? MSCHF released the boots to the public Thursday, but they are already sold out. You can still get them — if you're willing to pay.

By Gabrielle Bienasz

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Dragging your feet is one thing — cladding them in giant red boots is another.

The Big Red Boot by avant-garde art brand MSCHF ("mischief") has been spotted everywhere from influencers on the streets to New York Fashion Week to TikTok grandpas.

Singer Ciara showed off her pair on Instagram this week:

The boots made their debut online Thursday at $350 a pop and sold out within seven minutes or mere seconds — depending on who you ask.

The "Big Red Boot" (BRB) is now being hocked on sites like eBay for prices north of $800.

What is the 'Big Red Boot'?

The BRB is a product from the brand MSCHF. A common comparison has been to the Astro Boy character of the eponymous franchise, who wears big red boots and black underwear. The brand itself cited Dora The Explorer, who has a monkey companion with red boots.

The giant, clown-like footwear is made from plastic and rubber, per the product's detail page.

The cartoonish aesthetic is on purpose and made to challenge the concept of reality in an increasingly metaverse-like world, the product description says.

"Cartoonishness is an abstraction that frees us," MSCHF writes. "If you kick someone in these boots, they go boing!"

What is MSCHF?

Founded by Gabriel Whaley in 2016, MSCHF "is an art collective that engages art, fashion, tech, and capitalism" per its website.

The brand is known for outside-the-box fashion products like a pair of sneakers that supposedly had holy water in them from the Jordan River. The product is called "Jesus Shoes."

Related: 'Follow Your Nose': The Hot New Christmas Gift Is a Massive Fruit Loop

The brand has also made an art piece with an ATM that tracked the amount of money in checking counts of people who signed up to be a part of the project and withdrew money, and then put them in a visible ranking.

Far from making money or making a point, the absurdity is just sort of the point. "We're not here to make the world a better place. We're making light of how much everything sucks," Whaley told Insider in 2021.

MSCHF also collaborated with Lil Nas X on Nike sneakers with a drop of real blood in them called "Satan Shoes," but after a lawsuit for using the Nike logo on an unauthorized product, MSCHF was forced to settle with the sneaker behemoth and offer up refunds to people who bought them, per The New York Times.

But Whaley, a former Buzzfeed employee, has also proved to be somewhat of an expert at going viral, with the BRBs being the latest example.

Lil Wayne was even sporting them:

Where can I get the Big Red Boot?

Since the boots are sold out, you can add your name to an email list available on the product page. You can also check out secondary markets, but a huge upsell is likely.

At least one brand appears to make a similar boot, The Astro Boots, from MyCartoonBoots. They are often used in cosplay, the company says. They're on sale right now for $29. An email to the company for comment bounced.

RELATED: This Sold-Out Viral Accessory Was Designed By a Restaurant Chain. Now It's Being Listed for Hundreds of Dollars on eBay.

MSCHF claims in the product description it has a patent pending on its boots. It did not to a request for comment on when another round of BRBs might be available.

But, if you have the big red boots, the biggest problem might be getting out of them. One model had to cut themselves out of the boots:

Some people were shocked at the price:

Others were disappointed they didn't get a pair, apparently:
Gabrielle Bienasz is a staff writer at Entrepreneur. She previously worked at Insider and Inc. Magazine. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

Visionaries or Vague Promises? Why Companies Fail Without Leaders Who See Beyond the Bottom Line

Visionary leaders turn bold ideas into lasting impact by building resilience, clarity and future-ready teams.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Green Entrepreneur®

How Global Business Leaders Can Build a Sustainable Supply Chain

Businesses can build sustainable supply chains by leveraging technology to reduce environmental impact, optimize resources and track emissions while balancing operational efficiency and sustainability goals.