The History of the Nike SB Bruin
Nike SB’s court-side past meets innovative performance enhancements with their latest definitive pair of 2020 debuting Bruin Reacts. Taking inspiration from their age-old archive for this refreshing new monochrome colourway in black, white and anthracite grey, Nike SB introduces yet another tech-led advancement to their heritage-rich Bruin silhouette through the inclusion of Nike’s highly-responsive React Foam technology.
Owing its success to its original basketball debut back in 1972, the low-top Bruin was a staple for its time, with their cameo in the iconic ‘80s film ‘Back to The Future’ cementing them with ample screentime to secure the profile with a retro yet high-flying sense of appeal. Re-born in 2009 by Nike SB and boosted by a simple-suede collaboration with Supreme, the classic low-top design has taken on many new-age restructurings since its resurgence, with the Hypersoled Bruin Hyperfeels pairing sport subtlety with snugger fittings, the 2017 released Air Max Bruin Vapor introducing Max Air exclusivity, and the Orange Label High drops from Leo Baker and the Zoom Bruins from influential team-rider Ishod Wair effectively marking the metamorphosis of the once court-exclusive profile. With transformation in mind, tradition is never scratched from Nike SB’s creative vision, as most, if not all Bruin’s are actively re-written with the same traction-specific herringbone outsole and scuff-bumper overlays as the OG ‘72 profile, whilst modernised inserts such as the Zoom Air unit tap into justifying skate’s impromptu uptake of the iconic silhouette.
Iconically appearing across silhouettes such as the ultra-modern Nike Sertu and Vision, as well as part of Travis Scott’s recently released ‘Cactus Trail’ Air Max 270, Nike’s break-through React technology offers the very best in cushioned comfort and regenerative structuring. Answering to the calls from runners for ‘better cushioning’ and ‘better energy return’, React foam cushioning launched in 2017 exclusively for basketball - a neat irony that warrants its assimilation with the much-loved SB Bruins. As Nike’s longest-lasting foam that delivers an impressive 13% greater energy give-back than any other contending technology, there’s no hesitancy to see why the skate-remastered Bruins, and the similarly adapted AF1’s and Pegasus 37’s, marked the perfect profiles to host such technology. Providing skaters with the flexibility, responsiveness and impact protection they deserve, the 2020-debuting Nike SB Bruin React is precision-engineered creativity at its best.
Unlike the Bruin Ultra and Bruin Edge, these Bruin Reacts swap out the neat embroidered niceties across the midfoot for classic swoop-back leather Swooshes to match its fellow court-side sibling the Nike SB Blazer. Brushed black suede across the forefoot and recessed 7-eyelet lacing panel puts abrasion-resistance where it’s needed the most, whilst the breathable and lightly cushioned fabric side-panels help to reduce blowouts in plush comfort. The upgraded cupsole offers more flexibility than its standard issue, whilst the progressive incorporation of the crisp white Nike React drop-in midsole makes the design well-adapted to the needs of any energised skate setting. Loyal to its basketball roots, the herringbone traction pattern once again makes an appearance, whilst the exposed-foam tongue and the ‘Nike’ debossed white-on-black leather ankle tabs stick to the Bruin’s admirable old-school vibe. Marking yet another instalment to this new 2020 profile, custom ‘Bruin React’ tongue tabs, ‘Nike React’ insoles and etched, exterior-facing midsole detailings celebrate the ingenious pairing in true minimalistic Nike fashion.
A profile that has seen a swift release of colourways since its announcement earlier this year, the Nike SB Bruin Reacts are also spotted as part of the exclusive Tokyo 2020 ‘Rawthentic’ collection from last month, a monumental release that celebrates both skateboardings well-deserved allocation into the Olympic Games but also Nike’s endless ability to blend creativity, form and footing together as one.
The Nike SB Bruin React will be available on Saturday 1st August 2020 at 08:00AM (BST).
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