Whether you’re a dedicated sneaker-head or a new-to-the-game Nike collector, this is going to be a deep dive into the iconic sports brand.
We’ll start with a little brand history before getting stuck into the stuff you’re really here for, like which pieces are worth collecting, and how you can spot fakes.
Let’s do it.
Who started Nike and why?
Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight are the geniuses we have to thank for Nike. A little bit about them…
Nike started in the late 1950s (though it wasn’t called Nike until 1971), when Bill Bowerman started tinkering around with running shoes. He wasn’t happy with the heavy, uncomfortable spikes that he felt were holding runners back. He’d tried writing to various trainer manufacturers, giving them tips for making better shoes, but his advice went ignored (we bet they regretted that).
He didn’t lose faith though, he decided to visit a cobbler to get some practical experience of his own.
Knight was his first guinea pig. Knight said Bowerman chose him because he “wasn’t one of the best runners on the team. Bowerman knew he could use me as a guinea pig without much risk”.
Soon Bowerman was making custom shoes for most of the track team runners. And eventually, Bowerman and Knight set up shop together, importing running shoes from Japan under the name Blue Ribbon Sports (this was in 1964).
Importing wasn’t enough for Bowerman though, he wanted to create his own products too, so in 1965, Bowerman created the Tiger Cortez (in partnership with Onitsuka, the brand the pair had been importing). The success created a bit of a spiral, and after that, Bowerman was on a roll. The waffle sole came shortly after, and Nike was quickly famous worldwide.
The best picks for a retro Nike trainer collector
If you want to get into collecting trainers, you’ll be (un)surprised to know that Nike is a great investment. Nike dominates the market because of their recognition in the industry, the quality of their shoes and the fact they’re always in demand.
Plus, Nike’s 40+ year history means the brand has a huge range of trainers that they can re-release and remix, getting attention all over again.
The Nike Jordan 1
It should be no surprise that the Nike Jordan 1 takes the number 1 spot on our list of collectable trainers.
StockX data shows us time and time again that the Jordan 1 is one of the most in-demand Nike trainers. The iconic story of the Jordan (if you haven’t watched Air, what are you doing?), the instantly recognisable silhouette, the collaborations, and the fact that the Jordan Chicago just never stops being cool, means J1s are 100% a sneaker to have in your collection.
Props if you can get your hands on the Air Jordan 1 2022 “Lost and Found” model, which is a re-imagination of the 1985 classic, complete with faux ageing around the ankle collars. Any of the Jordan 1 Retro range will be a great buy too.
The Nike Dunk
Love or hate, the Nike Dunk isn’t going anywhere.
These trainers were a staple of the Nike lineup long before every man and his dog started wearing the Pandas.
The original Nike Dunk was released in 1985 as a basketball shoe. The trainers were a blend of the ’85 Terminator and the ’85 Jordan 1, and they were designed, developed and dispatched within 6 weeks.
They didn’t see huge success at the time, but sometime in the 90s skaters started finding the trainers in discount bargain bins. They were cheap, and they had the look and design that skaters loved. So, they grew up popularity and moved from the court to the concrete. Eventually Nike capitalised on this change in demand, and created a Dunk that was specifically designed for skating.
Like the Jordan, the silhouette is iconic and the possibilities for collaboration are endless (even Ben and Jerry’s got involved, really).
The Nike Air Max 1
The Nike Air Max 1 is a timeless trainer. But, we can’t talk about the trainer without talking about the person who designed it.
Tinker Hatfield was another of Bowerman’s track and field students, he was also training as an architect at university. Hatfield practised as an architect for four years before joining Nike and working on shoe design, using his architectural background to help him.
After a couple of years designing shoes at Nike, Hatfield visited the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, and it was that building that inspired him to design the Nike Air Max 1.
The Centre Georges Pompidou proudly displays all of its structural features on the outside, and so, the Nike Air Max gives you a look at its architectural structure too. The Visible Air bubble was born.
Why is the Nike Air Max 1 so popular?
We’ve got a few ideas:
- Comfort: The Nike Air Max 1’s bubble sole is like walking on clouds. Whether you wear them out running, or just to grab a coffee, you’ll enjoy a smooth ride all day long.
- Style: Obviously, they didn’t stick around this long because of comfort alone. The Air Max 1’s are another timeless silhouette and they come in a huge range of colour ways to suit every fit.
The Nike Air Force 1
The Nike Air Force 1 turned basketball shoes from basic AF to selling like hotcakes.
Before 1982, basketball players were wearing socks on socks to cushion the impact of landing on concrete. Now by this point, we know Nike is hell-bent on athletic performance, so they saw this as a challenge. The AF1 was designed based on a hiking shoe, because hiking also involves repetitive up and down movements.
When Nike released the AF1 they claimed the sneakers had 30% more shock absorption and 20% more resilience than a standard shoe. They bought Air technology to the courts for the first time, and the rest is history.
The AF1 is “By-far Nike’s best-selling trainer of all time”, and we don’t see that changing any time soon. The AF1 is the un-arguable king of streetwear footwear.
Collecting retro Nike trainers: FAQs
How can you tell if Nike sneakers are fake?
Nike is one of the most popular sneaker brands in the world, so obviously it’s a prime target for fakes. If you’re not careful you can easily be duped by these knock-offs, as they are usually pretty convincing.
We’ve got a few tips to help you spot fake Nikes a mile away:
- The box: Real Nikes will usually come in the box (unless you are shopping second-hand). The box should be sturdy and the printing should be perfect, with no irregularities. If the Nikes are shrink-wrapped, run, don’t walk (away).
- The shoe: Real Nikes are usually softer than fake ones, as they are made from real leather. Fakes are usually pleather which is much tougher.
- The SKU: Real Nikes will have the SKU on the inside label and on the box. They should also have a date on them, which is when the shoe was manufactured. Fake ones often have a bogus date, they might say the shoe was made in 2008 when actually it wasn’t even released until 2010.
Which vintage Nike trainers are best for reselling?
All of the ones we talked about above.
The Jordan, Dunk, Air Max 1 and AF1 are always in demand on the resell market. To get more bang for your buck, you should look rare colour ways, collaborations or limited release versions. It’s all about supply and demand.
If you want to get into reselling, you should think about the sizes you go for too. Men’s size 11.5 is said to be the ‘magic’ size. This one always resells well, maybe because that size is produced in low numbers even though a lot of people wear it. Women’s sizes 3.5-5 are also a good investment.
Where is the best place to find genuine vintage Nike shoes?
To make sure you don’t get duped with a fake pair of retro Nike shoes, you should either shop on the Nike website or on reputable resellers. If you want to find bargain pairs, you can also scour vintage and retro sites to hunt for hidden gems. Or, head to your local charity shop to see if you can get your hands on a unicorn.
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