Steven, the first customer to buy the Adidas / BVG (Berlin Transport) trainers give thumbs up at the Overkill shoe store. AFP PHOTO / Odd ANDERSEN
Steven, the first customer to buy the Adidas / BVG (Berlin Transport) trainers give thumbs up at the Overkill shoe store. AFP PHOTO / Odd ANDERSEN

Mania over a shoe that doubles as a train ticket hits Germany



Hundreds of people braved sub-zero temperatures to camp out overnight in Berlin, in hopes of buying on Tuesday a pair of Adidas sneakers that also offers free subway travel.

Retailing at 180 euros ($220), the limited edition shoes bearing the design of seat covers on Berlin's U-Bahn trains, are also fitted with an annual ticket normally costing 761 euros, sewn into the tongue of the shoe, a key draw for commuters seeking a deal.

"I came from Leipzig on Saturday and am 73rd in the queue," said Andreas Leu, who was wrapped up in a big red sleeping bag.

"What's most interesting is the ticket and there are only 500 pairs. I'm keeping it for my collection," he added.

Julian Kienst, who was standing next to Leu, said: "It helps me save quite a lot of money that I can use for other things, particularly since I don't make that much."

Berlin's public transport operator BVG had produced the shoes in partnership with German sportswear giant Adidas for the train network's 90th birthday.

Celebrating the sneakers' popularity in its typical ironic

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