The Nike SB Blazer quickly conquered the hearts of skaters thanks to its qualities in terms of ankle support and protection. In order to find out whether the shoe still lives up to its reputation today, we took a closer look at it.
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Nike Blazer – 50 years of success
The Nike Blazer appeared for the first time in 1973, back then as a basketball shoe. The name is inspired by the Portland basketball team, the Portland Trail Blazers. Since the basketball shoe also met the demands of skaters, it didn’t take long for the Blazer to gain a foothold in skateboarding. The Nike SB Blazer, designed by Lance Mountain, was released in 2005 and was adapted to the special requirements for skateboarding for the first time.
The Nike SB Blazer Low and Blazer Mid models are still an integral part of the Nike SB skate shoe range.
Fit & board feel
The Nike SB Blazer Mid is “true-to-size”, so you can order your usual shoe size. Mid and high silhouette shoes are known for being somewhat more complicated to put on than low-cut silhouettes. That is also the case with the Blazer Mid. But once you’re in the shoes, all your efforts will have paid off.
The skate shoe is comfortable to wear from the start and is equipped with a vulcanized rubber outsole and a Nike Zoom Air footbed. In general, the blazer feels rather slim, but that’s probably because of its tight fit. In terms of fit and board feel, the blazer is completely convincing from the get-go. The Nike SB Blazer Mid was immediately skate-ready for me and didn’t need any wearing-in or getting used to.
While the mid-cut silhouette provides a lot of support in the ankle area, I still have enough freedom of movement.
Durability
Durability
Thanks to the double foxing tape on the vulcanized sole in the toe area, the Nike SB Blazer Mid withstands abrasion very well. Even after several weeks of skating and kickflips, there is little wear and tear. The Herringbone tread outsole not only guarantees traction, but is also extremely durable.
The same applies to the suede upper. Thanks to the good workmanship and the high-quality materials, the Nike SB Blazer Mid is a very resistant skate shoe. Even after several weeks, it’s hard to spot any flaws.
Conclusion
After almost 50 years on the market, the Nike Blazer still lives up to its legendary status – back then on the basketball court, and today on the skateboard. The Nike skate shoe is solid in every way. From boardfeel and fit, to durability and performance, to a timeless design at a fair price. In addition to the classic Black & White model, new colorways of the Blazer Mid follow every season. The Blazer Mid by Nike SB is one of those shoes that every skater should try at least once.
Advantages
- design
- board feel
- durabilty
- price tag
Disadvantages
- none
Fotos: Theo Acworth