The Best of Reebok in 2021
Over the past 12 months we've had countless hectic drops, retros, collaborations and unsurprisingly another massive year for . Subtly succeeding all 2021 long, they engaged in a gargantuan amount of collaborations, resurrected some archive silhouettes and made epic industry moves. If Reebok continues on this upward trajectory, then we're expecting a stupendous 2022.
But before we enter the new year, look back at the best that the 'Bok had to offer in 2021!
Furniture Meets Sneakers
Arguably, one of the biggest collaborations of the year was from Eames and Reebok. Somewhat breaking down the barriers of what a collaboration can be, the ‘Bok honoured the legacy of the legendary industrial design duo Charles and Ray Eames with a slew of . The lead-up to the release was long, with the brand’s insider contacts flexing their early Friends and Family pairs. Finally in October, they were snapped up quick!
Kerby Jean-Raymond
In 2021, there was a within the sneakersphere with industry movers and shakers being given some of the top creative jobs at footwear brands. Of course, Reebok had to tap Kerby Jean-Raymond of fame to in 2022. A long-time collaborator with the ‘Bok, he’s worked on models such as the DMX Fusion. We’re keen to see how he goes next year!
Collaborative Powerhouse
Collaborations were plentiful in 2021 and Reebok took a front seat, tapping many brands and individuals for their own unique takes. Beginning the year, it wasn’t long before crafted multiple crazy iterations, closely followed by . Eco-friendly brand also received their own and Club C.
ICYMI, Cardi B went to the next level with her packaging while kept it on the more low-key side. even tapped in for a wildly colourful colab featuring the .
Standouts also came from rapper-turned-style-icon , who not only helped debut the but also made an epic Zig Kinetica II. Themed collaborations that unlocked our inner child were also readily available, from , and .
Mule Madness
The Mule silhouette has and it’s clear that it’s here to stay. While there were many factors in play when it came to the ascension of the backless silhouette, Reebok has been a large presence. Especially in 2021, their Beatnik silhouette has remained a mainstay within their catalogue from collaborations to and even a . They even took the mule look to the next level, of their iconic Club C in a collaboration with .
90s Hoops!
Reebok's heritage catalogue holds plenty of prolific sneakers, especially within their basketball department, and in 2021 there was an all-out onslaught of 90s hoop icons. The got a massive push, from aforementioned colabs and clean-cut vintage inspired colourways such as – inspired by the Philadelphia 76ers’ jerseys of the 1997-98 NBA season. The was blessed with a reissue, made famous by Dee Brown's 'No Look' dunk from 1991.
Quiet Retros
Usually when brands retro some of their most legendary archive silhouettes they kick up a big fuss, but not Reebok. They quietly gave the retro treatment to a few silhouettes leaving them to be copped by the ‘IYKYK’ sneakerheads. It all started with the which somewhat back into our sights via a . In February of 2021 a black and white colourway was then spotted. Another subtle comeback was from the , which hadn’t been seen on shelves in almost 40 years. It’s unique selling point was that it incorporated and was one of the first examples of an athletic shoe that rocked the water-wicking tech.
Be sure to check out our to peep the top tier in sneakers for the year.