Summary
Fans in theFortnitecommunity seem to think that despite recent reductions, the new in-game Kicks cosmetic upgrades are still too expensive to consider purchasing. Kicks were introduced intoFortniteon Jul 04, 2025, and represented a bold pivot for developer Epic Games, catering to fans of real-life sneaker brands and styles via the in-game store.
As aleading battle royale gameand one of the most popular live-service titles in the world,Fortniteis on the bleeding edge of innovations designed to keep players consistently engaged and interested in the game. For developer Epic Games, leaning into fashion and pop-culture crossovers has been a winning strategy, allowingFortniteto appeal to both the varied interests of its players and to fans not necessarily attracted toFortnite’s gameplay alone.
Unfortunately, not every initiative is free of complaint. DespiteFortniteKicks being hailed as a new avenue for self-expression in the game, many players feel their price is still too high. In one discussion on theFortnitesubreddit, player RedYoshiCraft declared that while they would love to purchase a pair of the new Nike Air More Uptempo Pink Foam Kicks for their character, they refuse to “spend a penny,” unless Epic opts to lower the price. Colored in light pink and patterned after the real-life pair of shoes, the Nike Air More Uptempo Pink FoamFortniteKicks cost 800 V-Bucks.FortniteKicks generally cost between 600 and 1000 V-Bucks to purchase and are wearable with mostFortnitecharacter skins.
Fortnite Fans Express Frustration at the High Price of Kicks
RedYoshiCraft’s complaint is not entirely novel, asFortnitefans have complained about the pricing of Kicks almost since their introduction. TheFortniteKicks pricing controversystems from the relatively high starting price tag for Kicks compared to otherFortnitecosmetics like skins, emotes, and back bling.
Many players chimed in to agree, saying that Kicks should be priced more like other accessories, rather than seemingly matching the cost of many full-body skins outright. Others wondered if the fact thatFortniteKicks are often licensed from real-life designs is related to their higher cost, seeing as the cheaper versions are usually game-original designs and not branded like the Nike ones. Others say that the higher price is more evidence of rising prices across the board inFortnite, citing the recentFortnitebattle pass price hikeas evidence of a trend.
A few players suggested that while Kicks prices could be lower, their critics were discounting the actual value Kicks can bring, given how often players wearing them will see them on their character. By way of comparison, they said a Back Bling or emote is only seen if it’s used, whereas Kicks are as constantly visible on a character as their skin, increasing their “exposure” and potentially justifying a higher price tag.
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