12/1/2023 0 Comments Beyond blue nike tech fleeceSimilar to how the Air Flight Huarache became synonymous with Michigan’s Fab Five, the 2K4 gained a reputation on the college hardwood during March Madness. How could we return to more purposeful and ‘grounded’ product,” said Avar.īryant may be the most notable ambassador of the Huarache 2K4, but he wasn’t the only notable player lacing the shoe up back in 2004. “We questioned whether we were being bold and crazy for the sake of it. According to an interview with Sole Collector in 2012, it was Avar’s commitment to getting back to the basics after a decade of bold designs. It’s a perfect example of honoring the past without getting stuck in it. New additions included a thin Velcro ankle strap, plastic heel counter for added lockdown, Zoom Air cushioning in the forefoot, and cosmetic upgrades like a giant Swoosh on the quarter panel. While its physical appearance differs greatly from its design inspiration, the Huarache 2K4 maintains the same DNA with design elements like a neoprene inner bootie, exoskeleton upper, and cutouts at the ankle collar. At the same time, it was very comfortable,” Bryant told Laced back in 2007. “That’s what I think separated the 2K4 from a lot of other shoes, how light it was and how well it performed. Designed by Eric Avar, the model was a fresh take on 1992’s Air Flight Huarache that was meant to cater to the explosiveness and versatility of modern players like Bryant. The silhouette was the unofficial signature shoe of the late Kobe Bryant upon signing with Nike in 2003. Some people will scoff at Roshes, but those who were there from the beginning know how big the shoe’s impact was at the time. – Matt Weltyīefore the official Nike Kobe line that redefined performance basketball footwear as we know it, we had the Huarache 2K4. Then the Roshe got played out and Nike replaced it with other pricepoint shoes that didn’t resonate the same. They made it a high-top, made it with Flyknit, made it out of Tech Fleece, did a Roshe 2 in a Yeezy colorway and a Japanese exclusive cheetah print, and made millions of pairs and flooded the market with it. Then Nike tried to do a lot with the Roshe. The budget-friendly price of the shoe made it a good alternative to the pricey Jordans, LeBrons, and Foams that dominated the sneaker market at the time. Instead, Nike designer Dylan Raasch wanted it to be a design experiment to see what he could do at the $70 price point, he told How to Make It. It had running in the name, but wasn’t a shoe designed to run in at all. ‘A few colorways started popping up at Foot Locker and the Roshe spread like wildfire. Then in the second half of 2012, the Roshe got a broader release. Sneaker connoisseurs who were into trying something new suddenly had their interests piqued by the Roshe. They came out in a few colors, spread by word of mouth, and were hard to find. The sole was a one-piece foam and the upper was an airy, loose-gauge mesh with a glued-on Swoosh. The Nike Roshe Run, the shoe’s original name when it debuted in 2012, wasn’t like much on the market at the time. They’re shoes that broke ground upon debuting and remain relevant through retro storytelling, both of which were considered when determining the rankings. These are Nike’s most important and impactful shoes, the ones that shaped and continue to shape the brand’s legacy. To celebrate five decades of the Swoosh, we look back on the sneakers-and the stories behind them-that contributed to its history. Whether it’s Tinker Hatfield’s Air Jordan 3 design, which essentially salvaged Michael Jordan’s relationship with the brand, or Eric Avar’s Zoom Kobe 4, a shoe that changed the way people played basketball, there are certain sneakers that were pivotal in the brand’s evolution thus far. Through a combination of superstar endorsees, masterful design, groundbreaking technology, and clever marketing, Nike has produced some of the most memorable footwear of all time. Its sneaker catalog simply can’t be matched, with pairs that changed the way athletes performed and everyday people dressed. Nike is a company rooted in sport, but one that has transcended pop and street culture alike. Nike just finished celebrating its 50th year in business and to mark the occasion, we’re looking back on the 50 best shoes that helped make the brand the industry titan it is today.
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