Source: @sneakerfreakermag / Instagram
For decades, breakdancers have donned everything from Air Force 1s and peep-toes to Timberland boots. Now, Nike is blessing them with a silhouette made especially for their fancy foot just in time for the Olympics in Paris this summer.
According GQ, the Swoosh brand has just unveiled the first sneaker made for breakdancers dubbed the Nike Jam as breakdancers prepare for the competition set to take place in Paris this coming July. The silhouette has been in the works for several years, and with the input of some world-class B-boys and B-girls, Nike is ready to unleash its latest creation on the world of Hip-Hop.
GQ References:
Nike Jam has been in development for over seven years, with on-site research conducted at the renowned Nike Sports Research Lab in Beaverton, Oregon. The company invited professional pros to show Nike's designers exactly how they like to move in their shoes, per Fast Company, and apparently even brought in a DJ to help set the mood. In film sessions, Nike analyzed the dancers' movement and carefully measured the impact of their feet on the floor, looking for ways to maximize comfort and energy efficiency. He ended up with a shoe that makes breakdancing as smooth and tactile as possible.
The silhouette itself is low and compact, constructed from a combination of leather and knitted mesh and built atop a fairly large gum sole. The heel tab and lace lock are reminiscent of the Nike Metcon, which is built for high-intensity interval training that includes jumping rope, burpees and box jumps, all somewhat similar in terms of the need for agility and speed. But Nike hasn't neglected the style factor either: the Jam is cool enough to wear casually, with a pleasant retro quality that harkens back to the street's roots in 70s and 80s street culture.
Expect to see them all over the hood as heads make all kinds of moves from the corner to the park as the summer heat hits your city and gives heads a reason to dance the night away.
The Nike Jam is set to release sometime this summer for $120.
Check out photos of the kicks and let us know if you'll be picking up a pair in the comments section below.
