The
The is from one of the most legendary lines on the market. Dating all the way back to the 1970s and spanning several generations, similar to and canvas, and the legendary this shoe set the tone for casual wear and even sports enthusiasts for years to come. The original was released in 1977. If you enjoy the nostalgia of the legacy Nike runners with the , overlays, and but are looking for an updated style, this shoe may be a great fit! The traditional black and white colorway on this helps keep it lowkey despite having the newer upgrade. As with any other shoe, it’s best to determine the environment you use the shoe in before determining if it is a good fit for you. Are you looking for something to lounge around the house in, something to make a fashion statement, or are you an active runner looking for a high degree of technical design to support the longest distances?
News And Plenty of Hype
The nostalgia of the shoe definitely brings back memories for many enthusiasts. Combined with a modern flair, mesh see-through sides, and a few technical updates, the generates quite the buzz. When the debuted in 2021, it was released in the Active Fuschia colorway. The price point for the came in at just $100. Along with the Active Fuschia colorway, the Nike was also released in a traditional black and white colorway.
A Closer Look at The Nike Design and Style Options
Black and White Colorway
The sides of the are constructed with a mesh panel consisting of a black leather swoosh insignia overlay and come in the . The is fastened to the back. Hidden behind the backtab is a Nike swoosh with “Est.1972 NSW // WFFL 1”. If you take a look inside the heel clip you can see “EST. 1972 // BVRTN // OR – NSW // WFFL 1” and a Nike swoosh insignia.
This colorway sports a mesh tongue with the branding “NSW // WFFL 1” on the exterior with a Nike swoosh insignia that sits just behind the top two lacing eyelets. The body contains eyelets that lead to a mesh toebox. The toe is guarded with a mudguard. On the side of the mudguard there is a small reflective piece and just above you can find a smaller Nike swoosh insignia just behind the mesh.
The insole is all one color. In the interior you can find ties to the ‘s original roots with a print that reads “EST. 1972 // BVRTN // OR – NSW // WFFL 1”. This text is accompanied by another Nike swoosh insignia. The outsole is one color with some white bits of the midsole showing through and a contrasting hit at the back with a swoosh and “EST 1972” debossed.
Active Fuchsia Colorway
The sides of this shoe also mesh and consist of a yellow swoosh insignia and come in the . This has fuchsia, yellow, and white coloring. The sides of the Fuchsia are constructed with a mesh panel consisting of a yellow leather swoosh insignia overlay. The is fastened to the back. Around the collar, you will find a yellow knit coloring that matches the yellow accents on the tongue. This threaded yellow pattern can also be found on the top of the lacing system. The lacing system is colored in a black accent overlaying the fuchsia-colored . If you look closely, behind the fuchsia you will see the iconic Nike toe hole pattern and a smaller hidden white Nike . Hidden behind the backtab is a Nike swoosh with “Est. 1972 NSW // WFFL 1”. If you take a look inside the heel clip you can see “EST. 1972 // BVRTN // OR – NSW // WFFL 1” and a Nike swoosh insignia.
This colorway sports a mesh tongue with the branding “NSW // WFFL 1” on the exterior with a Nike swoosh insignia that sits just behind the top two lacing eyelets. The body contains eyelets that lead to a mesh toebox. The toe is guarded with a typical dirt guard. On the side of the dirt guard there is a small reflective piece and just above you can find a smaller Nike swoosh insignia just behind the .
The insole is all one color. In the interior you can find ties to the ‘s original roots with a print that reads “EST. 1972 // BVRTN // OR – NSW // WFFL 1”. This text is accompanied by another Nike swoosh insignia. The outsole is one color with some white bits of the midsole showing through and a contrasting hit at the back with a swoosh and “EST 1972” overlayed.
Rattan Colorway
The sides of this also are mesh and consist of a white swoosh insignia. This has rattan and tan and white coloring. The sides of the Rattan colorway are constructed with a mesh panel consisting of a white leather swoosh insignia overlay. The iconic plastic heel clip is fastened to the back. Around the collar, you will find a tan knit coloring that matches the yellow accents on the tongue. This threaded tan pattern can also be found on the top of the lacing system. The lacing system is colored in the rattan color accent overlaying the tan-colored body. If you look closely, on top of the tan body you will see the iconic Nike toe hole pattern has changed and a smaller hidden white Nike swoosh that is embossed. Hidden behind the backtab is a Nike swoosh with “Est. 1972 NSW // WFFL 1” . If you take a look inside the heel clip you can see “EST. 1972 // BVRTN // OR – NSW // WFFL 1” and a Nike swoosh insignia.
This colorway sports a mesh with a different start pattern insignia that sits just behind the top two lacing eyelets. The body contains eyelets that lead to a mesh toebox. The toe is guarded with a typical dirt guard.
The insole is all one color. In the interior you can find ties to the ‘s original roots with a print that reads “EST. 1972 // BVRTN // OR – NSW // WFFL 1”. This text is accompanied by another Nike swoosh insignia. The outsole is one color with some white bits of the midsole showing through.
Summit White Colorway
The sides of this shoe also mesh and consist of a white swoosh insignia. This has grey, tan and white coloring. The sides of the Summit White colorway are constructed with a mesh panel consisting of a white leather swoosh insignia overlay. The iconic plastic heel clip is fastened to the back in white color. Around the collar, you will find a white knit coloring that contrasts the black accents on the tongue. This threaded pattern can also be found on the top of the lacing system in black coloring. This threaded pattern can also be found on the backside of the heel closer to the top of the collar in a black accent. The lacing system is colored in the tan body color overlaying the translucent mesh sides. If you look closely, on top of the tan body you will see the iconic Nike toe hole pattern has changed to a mesh toe similar to the mesh sides of the body. Hidden behind the backtab is a Nike swoosh with “Est. 1972 NSW // WFFL 1”. If you take a look inside the heel clip you can see “EST. 1972 // BVRTN // OR – NSW // WFFL 1” and a Nike swoosh insignia. On the side of the heel, you will also find embossed text and a hidden swoosh.
This colorway sports a mesh with a different start pattern insignia that sits just behind the top two lacing eyelets. The body contains eyelets that lead to a mesh toebox. The toe is guarded with a typical dirt guard.
The insole is all one color. In the interior you can find ties to the ‘s original roots with a print that reads “EST. 1972 // BVRTN // OR – NSW // WFFL 1”. This text is accompanied by another Nike swoosh insignia. The outsole is one color with some white bits of the midsole showing through.
Cleaning
Experts recommend using a basic solution to clean their shoes. This can contain warm soap water. Using a small brush, like a toothbrush or some type of dry brush, start by knocking off all the loose dirt that may have accumulated. You can then mix the warm water with something like dish soap in a bottle. Baking soda and water can work well together if mixed in equal parts. Nike recommends that you hand wash the laces. Start by taking off each lace on both sides. You can utilize a mild cleaning solution like the above to manually massage the dirt off of the laces. Let them dry before adding them back to the shoe. Apply the cleaning solution to a soft brush and carefully clean the outer soles. Using a stiff brush that has been dipped in the mild cleaning solution, apply a light scrubbing. This may take a little bit of time to perform correctly. Avoid using any strong chemicals as this can cause the seams to fall apart or other components to dislodge like the swoosh. When drying your ‘s after hand washing them, allow them plenty of time to air dry. Carefully hand dry them with a soft towel after you are finished.
Overall Comfortability
Runners have stated that this shoe is substantial, super-airy, and lightweight. Due to the way the heel is designed, your feet won’t hurt after hours of standing on them, and your foot feels protected and stable inside of the .
In most of the colorways, the upper part of the shoe is largely made of mesh that provides excellent ventilation. This extra ventilation makes this sports shoe stand out from many of the others in the Nike lineup such as the and the . If you are looking for a solid to use when jogging on a hot summer day, the provides excellent breathability.
Another key feature that comes with the , is the iconic lugs. True to its name the bottom of the sole contains the Waffle tread pattern that provides excellent and solid grip for a variety of different situations. The actually utilizes the waffle-like grip pattern. Other sneakers such as the or the recess the waffle-like pattern at the bottom of the shoe. This becomes more of a tip of the hat to the iconic pattern versus providing the actual grip that was intended with that engineering method.
Reviewers have stated the heel does not provide as much cushion as the hype on the Nike product pages. While it is not an uncomfortable shoe, it does not sport a super bouncy heel like other models that feel as though you were walking on air. Compared to , the Nike lineup is typically more designed for shorter distances.
What About Kids?
The designer shoe market for kids is growing extensively. Over the next few years, the expected growth rate is almost 4%. It appears customers are willing to pay premium prices for higher-end materials and well-designed products. The rise in disposable income and participation in a wide range of sports has driven recent market growth. A push for a healthy lifestyle for younger children has driven an increase in participation in outdoor sports such as running, biking, and swimming. The Waffle Ones do come in children’s sizes and can range anywhere from 100-$120. This might seem a steep price to pay when considering the amount of use the sneakers might undergo, especially when they can be outgrown in about a month. For the average adult, these sneakers are more of an everyday light use addition to their fashion wear. While the thick rubber sole of the provides quite a bit of durability, it has yet to be seen if the shoe can hold up over longer periods.
Interestingly enough, some parents are also willing to pay for designer brands to provide their kids with emotional and social support. One parent said they did not want their kids to experience the teasing they received as a kid whether in person or on . It became a fine balance between the extra cost of the shoe, the worries around durability, and the desire for their kids to be socially acceptable. Some of the colorways come in under $100 which might provide some relief. However, the are being worn by some of the most prominent sports stars and when kids see this on , there is a chance they may be drawn to the more popular colorways.
Final Thoughts
The is a solid shoe for the price point. It is one of Nike’s and sports real overlays giving it a true retro feel. Other components such as the mesh are not true Nike nylon so it’s not quite a replica of the glory days. It comes in several colorways that have excited customers. The breathability of the shoe allows joggers to get excited about the possibilities. For its price point, the brings home the nostalgia with a solid build, and good design and might make it a great addition to your collection. about the can be found on Nike or other retailer sites.
