The story of an icon

The company with the swoosh was just nine years old and ran only since 1971 under the name Nike. Two years after the founding of Nike, the company's first shoe came on the market: the Nike Blazer. Simple and without big frills. A white sneaker with the unmistakable Nike logo, the Swoosh, on the sides. Technologies in terms of material, processing and cushioning had not been developed for a long time. In its early days as a classic basketball shoe, the Blazer consisted of a leather upper, a mesh nylon tongue and a rubber sole. Especially the latter was a must-have for all basketball shoes at the beginning of the 70s.

Incidentally, the Blazer owes its name to a local basketball team, the Portland Trail Blazers. The shoe first gained attention and fame through George "The Iceman" Gervin. As shooting guard of the San Antonio Spurs, "The Iceman" was the perfect partner to put the shoe and Nike itself in the spotlight.

From a basketball shoe to skaters favorite

With the development of technologies, basketball players quickly left the blazer behind. However the potential of the extremely durable sole was quickly recognized by skateboarders. Top-notch traction and the durable leather stood up to the conditions on the skate court. The only problem was the mesh-tongue, as skaters prefer a little more cushion. But Nike solved this problem and in 2005, together with professional skateboarder Lance Mountain, announced the development of the Blazer SB, which added padding to the tongue and brought Nike Air technology to the sneaker for the first time.

Nike Blazer Collaborations

The Nike Blazer received its final accolade in 2006, when it collaborated with Supreme to present three special editions in black, white and red, each with faux "snakeskin" swooshes and Gucci-inspired straps on the heels. The shoes costed $180 at the time and even today, this release is considered a game changer. The 2006 Supreme Blazer is considered by some sneaker collectors to be the best Nike collaboration Supreme has ever done. Without hesitation, we can say that this collabo created the space for more collaborations with brands like Comme des Garcons, Sacai, and last but not least, Virgil Abloh's Off-White.

As is often the case, everything Virgil Abloh touches (be it rugs at Ikea) becomes a collector's item around the globe. In the process, the Nike Blazer in particular has been broken down into its component parts. With industrial prints and striking stitching, the classic appeared in a new look.

For the series fans among you: As you know we are big fans of Stranger Things. That's why the 2019 collaboration blew our minds. In the Stranger Things x Nike Capsule Collection a blazer, called "Hawkins High" was featured . As with other sneakers from the collection, the "Hawkins High" blazer is heavily based on the high school colors from series. The upper part is made of white full leather, while the round logo of "Hawkins High School" and the bright orange Swoosh provide accents.

Timeless classic

If there's one thing you can say, it's that few shoes have gone through the social evolution like the Blazer. Basketball teams, skaters or collectors - Across generations, the Nike Blazer has been passed down thanks to its simplicity and brand recognition.

What are the outer materials of the Blazer nowadays?

Over the years, the blazer has not changed much, although there have always been variations in the materials and colors used. Its discreet and slim appearance makes it a casual wear shoe that goes with any outfit. The minimalist design is dominated mainly by the large Swoosh. Only a quick glance is necessary to recognize the brand from a hundred meters. Staying largely true to the materials from its early days, the Blazer comes with suede and leather uppers and continues to wear its mesh nylon tongue.

How does the Nike Blazer fit?

The fit is very tight according to the slim look. We noticed that the blazer is about half a size smaller. So if you are between two sizes, it would be better choose the larger one.

Whether vintage, premium or SB version - this retro knight is a must-have in every shoe rack.