Nike SB ‘Hack Pack’
Driven by DIY culture, Nike SB has introduced new colourways and fabrics to their Nike SB Blazer Mid Edge skate shoe as an extension of their Nike SB ‘Hack Pack’ which was first launched in early 2020. Crafted with overlapping fabrics and reworked details, the designs act as a homage to the origins of skateboarding and the way that skaters would often hack their own shoes to achieve the correct fit and an increased level of cushioning that wasn’t currently available. Achieving the practical edge that is at the root of the project’s inspiration, the essence of the Nike Blazer Mid silhouette has been retained but with fabric overlays and reworked branding that are set to be experimented with further in the coming months.
Since the sports introduction, makeshift culture has been long associated with skateboarding through riders crafting their own wooden boards and adding hand-drawn decoration to distinguish both themselves and the boards from one another. During the ‘70s, skateboard culture progressed into a community based activity fuelled by an anti-establishment and anti-commercialism attitude that has continued to prevail into modern day. Formed from the ground up and extending across DIY skateparks, curb-setups, collaborations, custom apparel and footwear adapted to suit the needs of skaters, the original adaptations and creations continue to have a direct impact on the recognisable design, look and reputation of the industry today.
Far from the finalised array that is available today, materials such as duct tape, stickers and fabric tongues taken from old footwear were originally utilised to create customised footwear designs. Removing hindrances that altered new tricks being invented during the late ‘80s and ‘90s, a popular style to be reworked was the first ever pro model shoe from Vans, the Caballero, which kids would cut down from a ‘full cab’ to a ‘half cab’ which led to the official Vans Half Cab Pro release three years later - the longest-running skate shoe of all time. Encouraging others to fashion their own solutions, the result has led to key features being developed that can now be referenced within key designs such as the Nike SB Dunk Pro, adidas Busenitz and the latest Nike SB ‘Hack Pack’ models.
Differing from the original Nike SB ‘Hack Pack’ release last year which presented colourful canvas Nike SB Bruin Edge and Nike SB Blazer Mid Edge models complete with accompanying stencils that allowed you to spray paint, draw and stitch your own personalised touches, the first release of 2021 keeps things more simple with supple leather uppers for a polished, but still lively approach.
Preserving essential features such as a responsive Zoom Air unit and reliable traction-focused tread pattern, the first of a selection of new leather editions of the Nike SB Blazer Mid Edge presents two different looks, including a more striking multicoloured patchwork design alongside an iron grey and black variation that will appeal to fans of more low-key looks. Making a purposeful impact, the usual side Swoosh tick emblem has been removed from the outer edge of either shoe and placed across the toe vamp to improve abrasion resistance, leaving textural exposed stitching behind. Held in place by a full-length lacing system, as a reference to skateboarders adding their own padding to their footwear, the double tongue adds an unusual touch with a secure mesh layer and a contrasting exposed foam edge segment that can be removed to suit. Staple embroidery remains on the back of either heel and below a noticeably raised panel of rubber adds a subtle but effective edge to the design whilst also improving durability in a key area.
With the project accelerating its assortment, look out for further arrivals due in February and March which include further colour variables across the Nike SB Blazer Edge which favour pink tones alongside a striking primary colour ‘90s style patchwork version.
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