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Why I've Turned My Back On Adidas For Nike
Adidas are killing their brand with every new range that comes out, but the Nike swoosh still gives me that feeling of nostalgia.
I bought a pair of Nike trainers the other day. I’d long ago happily accepted that I’d never say those words again. It’s nearly twenty years since I last wore a swoosh on my feet and until very recently I had no desire to ever do so again. I’d worn Nike since school with Diablo and Wally Waffle leading to graduation and a pair of Wimbledons but sometime around a long time ago I went off them completely and haven’t looked in their direction since (except to mock).
The last pair I had were a pair of Cortez in navy with a white swoosh in 1994. I know this because theres a photo of me in them at the Oasis launch party for Definately Maybe at the Hacienda but they were on their last legs so I binned them not long afterwards. Around about the same time I threw out the trainers as well. For well-over a decade after that the only trainers I wore came from a limited pool of 3-stiped designs in the shape of countless pairs of Campus, Superstars, Stan Smiths and Gazelles in a range of varied colours including white, navy blue and white.
For the past 5-or-so years I’ve eschewed trainers altogether in favour of shoes and when neccessary, Vans authentics, having gone right off the idea of having any visible, vulgar branding whatsoever on my clothes. However with Vans now the ‘trainer’ du jour for every Tom, Rizzle Kick and Rioter it’s long been time to move on.
It’s nearly twenty years since I last wore a swoosh on my feet and until very recently I had no desire to ever do so again
Adidas have nothing I like save the Gazelles/Tobaccos/City series blah, blah, blah… but I’ve done that over-and-over. Adidas and it’s risible ‘Originals’ imprint is now the staple of the holiday camp hooligan with his Weller-cut/lager gut combination, further killing a once-great label with every shit step he takes. I’d rather look like Rizzle or Kick. I was mildly tempted by some New Balance but they’re the Volvo of trainers really and anyway I havn’t got a beard or the right kind of glasses. Beyond that there’s only really Nike left. So I bought a pair of Vintage Elite (from a shop, not online, shop fans. Tried them on and everything). I got a pair in navy with the swoosh fashioned from black suede (Nike insist the colours are navy, anthrasite and bone). There’s a white bit on the sole and white laces but other than that just blue and black. So they don’t shout too loud. Nike and subtle. I know black and blue (sorry, navy, anthrasite and bone) probably wasnt a colourway available back in 1977 so they’re not accurate re-issues but I’m not a geek/blogger so I’m not arsed.
There’s some lovely reissues flowing out of Nike this year. It must be for the Jubilee. I decided not to go for one of Nike’s true ‘vintage’ issues as the Haribo-addicted plug-ins who created them have taken to ‘vintaging’ their shoes by covering them in some form of ossified primordial scum. Far from giving the shoes the heritage feel of heady, sporty summers in 1970’s Oregon they look like good trainers covered in shit. Nike insist they have “crafted them to look 30 years old [with] 70’s grade nylon, aged laces and weathered foam”. I’m rolling my eyes here. It’s all the Japaneses fault.
My Nike retrogression has sent shock-waves through my firends in the Right-Wing section of the Northern Adi Dassler fanclub. The three-stripes brigade have weighed-in heavily with all-manner of pro-stripes, anti-swoosh propaganda and ignorant piss-taking but my conviction is absolute.
I was mildly tempted by some New Balance but they’re the Volvo of trainers
I got a proper whiff on nostalgia the second I first put them on and stood-up to feel a waffle under my sole. If I’d have closed my eyes I’d have had visons of standing outside North Manchester chippies, the bus from Cheetham Hill to Old Trafford and pretending to be Carl Lewis but I didn’t, I kept them open. After spending so long wearing pumps they felt like bubble-filled Air Max at first but I’m half an inch taller, they look dead smart and I really like them. I might even get another pair, the Pre Motreal Racer are really rather dashing. There’s not a great deal else to say about it really. It’s just a pair of trainers. Really.
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COMMENTS
trying way to hard to be trendy.they are just trainers and you are middle aged
Yep, the bastardisation of Adidas continues. How can you nostalgically look at the original Forest Hills only to be rudely awaken by some scrote wearing a black/white/floured cent orange pair, neatly accompanied by a grey hoodie & matching bottoms.
Now then. Oddly, which trainers I buy is of gigantic proportions in my life. It shouldn't be, but it is. I've never been much of a Nike fan and a staunch Adidas fan. I love the whole Adidas/Puma subplot and those three stripes make me gurgle with delight. Nike always seemed so... well... American and throwaway. Air Jordans never did it for me (save the Wally Waffle days). However, oddly for me, I've been eyeing up Nike trainers recently. Adidas have gone off the boil slightly and it bothered me. It bothered me that I care enough eventually, but alas, perturbed all the same. Stood in a shop with rows and rows of uninspiring Adidas trainers. First I looked to Puma, and they were okay. I kept going back to Nike. I felt dirty. Nike are the Pot Noodle of trainers (yet, I rather like the occasional Pot Noodle). What was I doing? In the end, I wimped out because it felt like I was switching allegiances from one team to another. Did I buy Adidas? No, I ended up being awkward and buying some really fuckin' nice Hummels. Handball trainers. What I've learned in all of this, is that I'm a grade A chump who needs to get out more.
Fair enough Adidas has lost some its allure but the old colourways that you can't buy these days are still a bit special. Trimm Trabs in Argy blue come to mind. Having said that, I'm thinking of thinning out my Adidas collection and spending some of the proceeds on New Balance 576, made in England, more comfy than Adidas, and just a bit different. I don't have a beard by the way.
Im 54 and love trainers. Went through stages...Reebok,Nike,Adidas etc now im a CONVERSE convert as there are so many designs to collect.
I understand what you mean. I've collected trainers for many years, all kinds really, but my collection was 75% adidas. I have now whittled it down to about half a dozen pairs of adidas, and the rest is made up of Nike, NB, Vans and various others. I walk into Size? and see trainers that 5 or 10 years ago would have excited me beyond belief, but i didn't even pick them up for a look.
Nike. Pfffffffft.
Spring Court and Supergan for me. if you don't know, you don't know, as it were.
superga ffs
Anyone who gives a shit about any of that brand loyalty/image thing is a wanker. If you like how it looks you fucking buy it. And fuck what brand it is.
I've gone through the same kind of menopause. Adidas, Clarks and now Nike. Their reissues like the Vortex's can't be beat and have not been picked up by those laptop DJ types in the v-necked t-shirt. And New Balance are well shit, they're the driving glove of shoes. Alan Partridge would wear NB's..
Joe, with you on the Spring Court and Superga...though I wouldn't be without my yellow Kopenhagen's either!
If you've left your 20s behind and you're still wearing trainers for anything other than sport you really need to start taking a look at yourself.
Age is but a number, kev hennessy.
we'll you should buy you adidas kicks from here.. nike has no heritage it buys its glory and people to rock it kicks!! Jordan rocked adidas for free and got paid to wear nike's http://www.endclothing.co.uk/brands/adidas-footwear?p=1
Ah...to be balding and naive...maybe I am the American tourist in shorts...but I don't wear shorts thank you! I have gotten reissues of Adidas Dublin, Stockholm, London, Malmo, and the recent Tobacco. My mom was dressing me when these came out originally. I suppose I'll wear them with pride over here but won't take them over to the UK when and if I visit. I prefer the TVP's to the Jam anyhow...not that I don't love the Jam!
Adidas has pandered to the three haircuts in one laptop DJ crowd once to often. They've become a parody. Nathan Barley wears Adidas Star Wars Stan Smiths, nuff said, well Mexico. And those fluffy soft toy jobs and those Bodyform jobs with the wings. Need I go on?
Jeremy Scott needs dragging outside by his feet and beating around the head with a pair of Rom!
I just wear whatever's deemed cool in oi polloi. They've started to sell trainers again so i'm going to start to wear trainers again. Which one's do they sell? Nike pre montreal racer. Ok i'll buy a pair of them then. Nike is really cool and i get to look different from all my friends! I might even get a graphic t shirt for the summer! Something with a retro surf logo on it.
Ooh Robert, you absolute bitch! You'll have the people's republic of mancunia to answer to...
Nike? American crack dealer shoes invented by the secret services, designed for reprobates in order to make them easier to identify. I'll stick with the three stipes, thanks....
@steve sticking with the shoes designed by nazis for nazis. better a crack dealer than a a goose stepping git. Cheers
if you like something buy it for that reason, have an open mind. i have never purchased a pair of fila or Diadora trainers but if i see a pair i like. ill fucking get them
