As Reebok continues its evolution into a pure performance brand geared toward high-intensity training trends, its smaller Classics category exists almost independently from the parent company as it makes great efforts to connect with the world of fashion, lifestyle, and culture. In 2018, they balanced their attack with futuristic iterations of its time-tested designs while relying on their icons to pace a level of interest from its loyalists, all while flexing some new muscle to appeal to younger generations. With help from music industry mainstays, world renowned sneaker boutiques, high fashion labels, and more, the UK-based label flaunted a bevy of shoe releases worth its own spotlight while hinting at what may come in 2019. The future of Reebok in the realm of sneaker culture is still in flux, but their output over the last year shows more promise than ever before.
10. Bronze 56k x Reebok Club C This Queens-based skate crew’s take on the recognizable piece of Reebok’s legacy brought another 90s-inspired color scheme to the once court-ready tennis trainer.
9. Reebok Run.r 96 With an eye on the past and the future, this luxurious iteration equipped design language from the 1996 PUMP EVO prototype while still creating its own new and unique look. The shoe was intended for the fashionable crowds, as limited releases were available through shops such as Barney’s, SSENSE, and the like.
8. YG x Reebok Classic Leather “Blassic” Debuting during the NBA All-Star Weekend, YG’s now-infamous take on Reebok’s most prolific silhouette boasts a number of LA-friendly details, resemblant of the rapper’s hometown and his neighborhood affiliations.
7. Packer x Reebok Club C Meant to highlight the simplicity and wearability of the Club C, the illustrious New Jersey shop aimed to draw in fans from all walks of life, from the corny-dressed dad to the streetwear-obsessed skater.
6. Reebok Aztrek Retro Back all the way from 1992, this sleek silhouette found a perfect home in a sneaker market currently obsessed with nostalgic runners from the 1990s. Led by the two original colorways, this re-issue was a hit among those in the know, while its appearances on the likes of Cardi B and Gigi Hadid raised some awareness among the younger generations.
5. Extra Butter x Reebok DMX Run 10 “Predator” Falling right in line with the NYC-based shop’s obsession with cinema, this head-turning take on one of the brand’s true staples comes ripe with authentic details from the hit movie franchise.
4. Palace x Reebok Club Workout This London-based skate/street stalwart lent their signature aesthetic to three simple yet colorful takes on this hybrid of the Club C and Workout, adding neon hues to a silhouette known for its understated flavor.
3. Hanon x Reebok Club Workout “Belly’s Gonna Get Ya” You can always count on the boutiques to draw obscure references into their collaborations. Their take on the classic model, inspired by an ad from the early 2000s, displayed brand knowledge and some edgy humor with a flesh-colored creation with embellishments representative of cellulite, relaxed jeans, and more.
2. Reebok The ANSWER 1 Allen Iverson’s reputation as one of the most influential athletes in history is already well-documented, but his signature line of footwear with Reebok never quite gained steam beyond the earlier models. This super-limited re-issue in China brought some positive attention around the shoe as the brand also debuted newer fusion-style releases, but the OG white and red was a certain must-have for AI fans everywhere.
1. Pyer Moss x Reebok DMX Fusion Experiment The Brooklyn-bred fashion designer, praised for emphasizing social issues through his platform, teamed with Reebok to give his signature spin on the DMX Fusion Experiment by way of thick elastic ropes that wrapped the shoe. Although he released several collaborative projects with the brand throughout 2018, this angelic triple-white takes the cake
