Retros - A collectors dream or a purists nightmare
- adamthomas
- Mar 29, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 30, 2021
Nothing is finite when it comes to footwear especially trainers. They won't last forever, especially those reaching 15+ years old. This is down to a few reasons that out of our control (covered in a previous post), Nike are offing a wearable alternative, where do you stand on retros?
We are accustom to seeing well known silhouettes return in OG colour-ways every 5-10 years, however we are now noticing some of our favourite collaborations from over the years retro. This is the first time we are properly seeing collaborations return and we have to ask does it detract from the original?.
Recent offerings that spring to mind are both the Nike Air max 1 x Clot Kiss of Death and the Nike Air max 90 DQM Bacon. Two iconic collaborations that the originals are now entering the wearable danger zone. We saw slight modifications to the pairs to bring them inline with 2021 manufacturing and production techniques. The Clots have updated to a perforated toe box and a 3M panel on the heal (less fogging hopefully). The bacons have slight stitching variations and an update to the mudguard shape. Both considered as decent retros paying homage to the originals whilst offering a wearable alternative with only minor adjustments.
2018 we saw the return of the Atmos Animal pack, first releasing in 2006 the AM1/95 the faux fur uppers and vibrant print caused such a stir, fast forward to 2018 and reaching 12 years old they were on borrowed time. Both retro pairs feature a slight twist, the AM1 now sports a black toe box as apposed to the OG's white. whereas the white panel next to the 95s lace eyelets is now black, these subtle changes are completely liveable and pay tribute to the originals in a tasteful way.
Further retros in recent years have included the Lemonade AM1 from the Powerwall pack, AM90 Duck Camo and AM1 Curry. All three of these classic Air Max pairs have also included an accompanying two pairs. The Lemonade pack features Limeade and Strawberry Lemonade apart from the minor cracking on the reflective panels were well accepted, the Duck Camo had a Volt Green and Bright Orange version using vibrant colours paired with a slight modification to the camo, early leaked images of the orange pair were causing a storm when people thought that they were in fact the Duck camo. The Curry's had a Red and Green curry's too, a similar theme we are seeing with greens and reds very popular. This is pure genius by Nike wetting the appetite with a rerelease then offering a trio or accompanying pairs, possibly enticing those who were never originally a fan.
Like the Animal pack not all retros return as a 1:1, the AM90 Duck camo returned with the black suede panels updated in a vibrant infrared colour mesh. Whereas the Curry and Lemonade were very close to the original pair, it seems Nike either want to get it as close as possible to the original design or put a tweak so noticeable that it hits you in the face.
It would be rude to not include the other two AM1 retros from Atmos the Elephants and Safari. The Elephants rereleased in 2017 just before Air max day, they were incredibly popular and providing you got lucky with the print very close again to a 1:1.
The Safari on the other hand released in 2016 and featured a long nap suede on the toe box and a translucent blue tinted outsole. Far cry from the mesh and gum sole on the original. Many shaved the down the suede and tried to reshape the boxy toe to something more sleek and closer to the original.
So where does that leave us? Should we be frustrated that nothing is sacred and pairs that were once held in such high esteem are being diminished by poor retros. Or should we be grateful at owning a wearable regularly available retro.
I'm all for retros when they add to the original and are available to enjoy for those who missed them first time of asking.
Nike if you are reading this I would happily take a AM1 Urawa and Viotech retro. Alongside either OG Spiridon colourway or Michigan.
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