Nike SB

Proving to be a big year of hyped collaborative releases, the start of autumn has seen Nike SB welcome a crisp all white leather Dunk Low OG 2 model designed by Amsterdam skate store Ben-G founder Benny Komala. Carrying a design that was ten years in the making, the all over embossed Swoosh pattern features the most ticks to date. Another of Amsterdam’s favourites; by Parra brought his own touch to the Dunk Low OG model earlier in the year with layered embroidery, textural inserts and specific colour tones which founder Pieter ‘Parra’ Janssen is famous for.

As part of the ongoing ‘Support Your Local Skate Shop’ Orange Label campaign, a custom Bruin Ultra ‘Ishod’ model designed by American team rider Ishod Wair was available exclusively to a selection of UK skate stores including Flatspot, with safety orange accents and uppers made from two different fabrics across a split design that continued across accompanying track jackets and pants.

The beginning of summer saw Nike SB and the Jordan brand come together once more to create a ‘Midnight Navy’ edition of the Nike SB x Air Jordan 1 Low, designed in alliance with pro skater Eric Koston. In close union of this, a new Nike SB Air Jordan 1 OG Defiant model exuded their legendary court, street and skate status since being first introduced in 1985.

Closely following this, two Air Trainer 1 and Blazer Low GT

models were adorned with royal blue accents and crisp summit white inserts to capture the creative style of Malmö based Polar Skate Co. for a modern take on designs pulled from Nike’s archive. Prior to this, the end of 2018 was full of energy and saw an exclusive drop of the Nike SB x Diamond Dunk Low Pro OG Shoes, the Nike SB x Concepts ‘Purple Lobster’ Dunk, and a Jeff Staples’ ‘Panda Pigeon’ Dunk Low which combined references of New York City and China.

Nike SB continue to pioneer and challenge the traditional skate shoe market with their focus on innovation, combined with a historical reputation within sportswear design. Their international team of skaters not only represent the brand but also put each design to the test to provide accurate feedback on improvements. Both Guy Mariano and Antonio Durao have had their own premium Team Classic styles released this year which both bear references to their personal heritage, whilst the Stefan Janoski range celebrates its 10th anniversary this year through a year-long series of crafted remastered and slip-on models.

Complementing the array of impressive footwear releases, the year has included a range of winter-ready sherpa fleece designs, Dri-Fit trousers and imaginative graphic t-shirts that incorporate nostalgic cartoon style imagery that make for easy go-to styles that can be layered throughout the year.