Quick Take:
After initially revealing a Off-White x Nike “Kiger” creation a couple weeks ago, more images have begun to surface of other Virgil Abloh-designed shoes in a similar styling. Originally conceptualized as “festival footwear” the line continues to grow as the weeks go by. Is this Virgil’s 2019 version of “The Ten”? Today, we are seeing the first images of Off-White’s version of the iconic Nike Waffle Racer.
Design:
The shoe is primarily white, sale, and tan, with hits of lime green from the laces and an orange hit under a metallic Swoosh. A netted material covers the entire upper, and also features a similar lacing system to the Kiger, that drops below the traditional eyelets of a shoe and loops into the upper. Finally the shoe is finished off with the spiked sole found on the Kiger and other conceptual models, and Off-White branding on the lateral portion of the shoe.
Analysis:
Virgil Abloh continues to innovate and change the way we look at sneakers. His reconstruction of timeless Nike silhouettes can be abrasive, and in some cases even ugly, but his design work has had a definitive effect on the footwear industry. From writing information on shoes to the addition of ‘authenticity-verifying’ zip-tie tags, Abloh’s work continues to break free from tradition.
At first, I did not love the spiked sole featured on the shoes, but it’s beginning to grow on me. I’m not sure about the durability of the spikes themselves, or how great the shoes will be for non-grass environments, but it’s another interesting switch-up. It is also exciting to hear that the footwear will focus on women, who still do not have their voices heard in the mainstream sneaker market as much as they should.
Release Info:
No official release information is known quite yet, but expect these shoes to release in women’s sizes around $150.
Kickbeast 
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