John Kim The ever-competitive lifestyle sneaker market has Nike concocting some to formations in their playbook, and they’re doing so by dipping into an American sport that, despite having roots nearly a century old, isn’t referenced often in the world of fashionable athletcs. It’s uncharted territory relative to how much Nike has done with its basketball, tennis, and running heritage, and with the recent revival of the Field General and news of Bode’s collaboration with Nike, the Swoosh may have drawn up the perfect offense as the casual sneaker competition continues to grow fierce.
A quick hit of history: the Nike Astro Grabber was the Beaverton brand’s entry into football, utilizing the leggings waffle sole treaded bottoms from the Nike Waffle for the rigorous sport. Given the limits of footwear at the time, the shoes are rather plain, with mesh and leather uppers above the nubbed bottoms, but it’s that simplicity that lends well to the current demands of understated and poignant footwear.
Bode, the brand founded by Emily Adams Bode Aujla, just officially unveiled a second colorway of their debut collaboration with Nike, sticking with a mesh upper, modified toe-guard, and a new co-branding on the tongue that properly emanates the decade it’s pulling from. Much like the black leather pair (below) that was debuted earlier this year from their FW24 runway, their Astro Grabber, opts for a tonal colored outsole built with restraint. The above version is the yin to the leather version’s yang; both are replete with refinement, but in their own unique way.
Perhaps its less of a football thing, and triple of a decade thing. Footwear fashion trends continue to turn back the clock (see: adidas Samba), and Nike’s past offerings have been absolute hits. The nike sb kids sb check valve line fittings, for example, transformed the early runner into the one of the biggest cult hits over the last decade. Furthermore, the Cortez will be a brand focus in 2024 and beyond as the original “Forrest Gump” Cortez colorway is due out later this year.
As part of the Bode Recreation capsule for FW24, this collaboration likely won’t see a release until the third quarter of 2024, so stay tuned for an official announcement.
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- Bode x Nike Astro Grabber @woganwodeyang
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- Bode x Nike Astro Grabber @woganwodeyang
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- Bode x Nike Astro Grabber @woganwodeyang
