With very few exceptions over the past decade, there hasn’t been a better moment for smaller sportswear brands to return ’90s sneakers from the depths of time. The market is ripe, the fans are accepting.
Japanese label Mizuno is well aware of this truth having returned its foundational Wave Rider 1 earlier this year. Soon after, no less, Mizuno firmly cemented the shoe’s return with collaborative releases, resonating with sneaker purists and new adopters alike.
A design that’s certainly inspired many a modern-day shoe produced with retro, soccer/tennis styling, the Wave Rider 1 isn’t what we’d call a dad shoe. In fact, it works in opposition, as this shoe not only predates said contemporary trend but focuses its bulky build on function, not fad.
The second of two original colorways is vindicated today in a revelatory blue and yellow scheme. Venturing back to decades-old color coating and Japanese sentiment, the shoe both celebrates its 20th anniversary and Mizuno’s budding RB Line.
Mizuno, in the past, represented quality sporting goods with an emphasis on running heritage. The same holds true today as the retro Wave Rider 1 models a healthy dose of full grain leather, clean polyester and supporting nylon.
The shoe is scheduled to return on November 24 for $160 at RB Line retailers.
Mizuno Wave Rider 1 OG
Release Date: November 24, 2018
Price: $160
