Nike SB

This year the Stefan Janoski range celebrates its 10th anniversary through a year-long series of crafted remastered and slip-on models. First introduced in 2009 the Nike Janoski changed the face of skate footwear forever with a lightweight, low-cut design crafted with a focus on there being as little material between the wearer and board as possible. The Janoski remains Nike SB’s most popular model.

Proving to be a big year of hyped collaborative releases the end of 2019 has welcomed Oskar ‘Oski’ Rozenberg’s first pro models as part of the ongoing ‘Support Your Local Skate Shop’ Orange Label campaign which is available exclusively to a select few UK skate stores including Flatspot. Prior to this, team rider Ishod Wair brought his own personality to the Bruin Ultra with a split design complete with signature orange accents.

Bridging the gap between skateboarding and fashion, the Nike SB x Soulland Blazer Mid boasted faux snakeskin uppers and bright pops of red for a fresh take on a classic ‘70s silhouette. And the start of autumn saw Nike SB welcome a crisp all white leather Dunk Low OG 2 designed by Amsterdam skate store, Ben-G founder Benny Komala and carrying a design that incorporates the highest number of Swoosh ticks to date. Another of Amsterdam’s favourites; by Parra brought his own touch to the Dunk Low OG earlier in the sumer with layered embroidery, textural inserts and the specific colour tones which founder Pieter ‘Parra’ Janssen is famous for.

In the summer Nike SB and the Jordan brand came 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 exuded their legendary court, street and skate status since being first introduced in 1985. Capturing the creative style of Polar Skate Co. a modern spin on designs pulled from Nike’s archive included Air Trainer 1 and Blazer Low GT models which were adorned with royal blue accents and crisp summit white inserts.

The end of 2018 saw an exclusive drop of the Nike SB x Diamond Dunk Low Pro OG, the Nike SB x Concepts ‘Purple Lobster’ Dunk and Jeff Staples’ ‘Panda Pigeon’ Dunk Low which combined references to 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. 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 which can be layered throughout the year.