So if you like Jordans, why wouldn’t you like the Spizzike? After all, it’s simply a conglomeration of so many Jordans that it’s hard to even describe how, let alone why, they did it. There was a large contingent of Jordan fans who were very vocal in their hatred of that shoe. I honestly can’t really see what all the fuss is about. Last year Jordan fans had more retros than ever before to keep them happy. I’m more open to complaints that the elephant print and safari texture is so overplayed they should be retired immediately.
AIRMAX 360
Which brings me to the recent Air Max 360, which for me is the gonad that spawned the birth of the modern hybrid. Numerically destined to be the pinnacle of Air Max evolution, the 360 was a labor of love for its designers who had to overcome significant obstacles to bring the shoe to life in a durable form. It took a little longer than expected, by which time the counterfeits had already hit the market, which must have been a deflating experience for all involved. The launch duly came and went and despite the razzamatazz, a faint waft of consumer nonchalance pervaded what should have been a crowning achievement, especially for a foundation franchise that dates back to the late ‘80s.
As anyone who has worn the shoe will attest, it does feel pleasant and it does looks agreeable, yet even with all the hoopla, it struggled to penetrate the market – a testament perhaps to its conservative colors and upper construction, not to mention competition from the saturation of new releases. Lack of a visual knockout punch aside, Nike seemed uncertain of what the 360 was supposed to represent, other than offering a full-length airbag for the first time. Was it really intended as a genuine performance model? It’s no secret that real runners gave up on the AirMax franchise years ago and I’m yet to sense that too many have returned to the fold to embrace the 360. All of which casts an intriguing mist over the future direction of this once mighty pillar of swooshdom. If not for the sports, then why?
