Tallest Man In U.S. Gets Custom-Made $15,000 Reebok Sneakers
BOSTON (CBS) - The tallest man in America just got a new pair of sneakers. That may not sound like news, but the shoes, made specially by Reebok for 30-year-old Igor Vovkovinskiy, reportedly cost somewhere between $10,000 and $25,000.
Back in May, Vovkovinksiy, who is from Russia but lives in Rochester, Minnesota, paid a visit to Reebok's Canton, Mass. headquarters. There, the company used laser technology and molds to custom make three pairs of the sneakers for the 7-foot, 8.33-inch Vovkovinskiy.
The finished products, which were delivered this week, are all personalized with his name, height, and logo.
"I never thought I'd have a pair of shoes that looks like something that comes off the shelf," he told CBS Minneapolis. "To have all of these things personalized specifically to me, it goes above and beyond anything I had hoped for."
Vovkovinskiy has suffered through a number of painful foot ailments and surgeries. He hopes these shoes will give him a better life.
"It's an enormous opportunity now to start doing things I haven't been able to do," he said. "Walking two blocks, I'm out of breath. I hope this is the road to recovery."
Igor initially raised close to $40,000 from donations on Facebook to pay for the shoes. But Reebok stepped in and said it would foot the entire bill for the size 24 shoes.
Since Reebok is picking up the tab for these shoes, Igor plans to hang onto the money people have donated to him until he needs a new pair of sneakers, or a pair of boots, sandals, or even dress shoes.
