Reebok 30th Anniversary Classic Leather
Originally introduced in 1983, the Reebok Classic Leather has established itself as the brand’s go-to silhouette over the past three decades as its understated look gives it a casual appeal unlike many of the technical running footwear designs that immediately followed its release. The casual runner, with its blend of quality leather and nylon, would come to redefine its segment and serve as a starting point for many sneaker fans’ first foray into the world of Reebok. In its original iteration — Vector logo, Union Jack flag, thick foam tongue and all — the Reebok Classic Leather was a relatively subdued design, particularly in the classic white/black and all black colorways. Coming prior to Reebok’s most notable cushioning systems such as ERS (Energy Return System), Hexalite and, of course, Pump, the Classic Leather kept things simple with a layered midsole, opting instead to let the clean style and proven performance do the talking.
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by SNEAKERSNSTUFF
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by BURN RUBBER
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by FRANK THE BUTCHER
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by PACKER
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by MITA SNEAKERS
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by SOLEBOX
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by HIGHS AND LOWS
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AND MORE…
COMING SOON
“Originally introduced in 1983, the Reebok Classic Leather has established itself as the brand’s go-to silhouette over the past three decades as its understated look gives it a casual appeal unlike many of the technical running footwear designs that immediately followed its release.”
Originally introduced in 1983, the Reebok Classic Leather has established itself as the brand’s go-to silhouette over the past three decades as its understated look gives it a casual appeal unlike many of the technical running footwear designs that immediately followed its release. The casual runner, with its blend of quality leather and nylon, would come to redefine its segment and serve as a starting point for many sneaker fans’ first foray into the world of Reebok. In its original iteration — Vector logo, Union Jack flag, thick foam tongue and all — the Reebok Classic Leather was a relatively subdued design, particularly in the classic white/black and all black colorways. Coming prior to Reebok’s most notable cushioning systems such as ERS (Energy Return System), Hexalite and, of course, Pump, the Classic Leather kept things simple with a layered midsole, opting instead to let the clean style and proven performance do the talking.
In the years since its launch, the Reebok Classic Leather has seen countless iterations and served as the canvas for countless collaborations. Whether its simple colorways or more complex collaborative executions, the Classic Leather has always impressed due to its simple yet eminently wearable makeup.
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Reebok’s partners that make up the Certified Network are reworking the classic with new materials and colorways that look forward while honoring the shoe’s heritage. Stay tuned for the roll-out over the course of 2013.
(Top) Sneakersnstuff x Reebok 30th Anniversary Classic Leather
(Right) Interview with Peter and Erik, the founders of Sneakersnstuff
Reebok has teamed up with Swedish sneaker boutique Sneakersnstuff, one of the 17 boutique retailers selected to be part of the global Certified Network, to produce this latest colorway of the Reebok Classic Leather. Part of the 30th anniversary collection of special Classic Leathers, this pair features an all-blue upper crafted from suede, nylon and Cordura. Designed to be wearable in the brutally cold Swedish climate, the shoe incorporates Thinsulate to make sure your toes evade the frostbite when out and about. In addition to the insulation the shoe also makes use of PlayDry tech for increased moisture management. Look for these at Sneakersnstuff and other Certified Network boutiques this Saturday, January 26.
(Top) Burn Rubber x Reebok 30th Anniversary Classic Leather
(Right) Interview with Rick Williams and Roland Coit
In a continuation of Reebok‘s ongoing Certified Network collection of Classic Leather 30th Anniversary collaborative releases, Burn Rubber of Detroit steps up to the plate. The shoe takes on strong inspirations from the crew’s native city of Detroit including the Spirit of Detroit statue. The shoe utilizes the Classic Leather Lux model with leather overlays in combination with suede underlays. Gold foil offers a nice visual pop with “GOD” and “FAMILY” embossed on the heel counter. Further detailing comes in the form of a sublimated Spirit of Detroit graphic sockliner, custom BR woven label and six different colored laces. The Burn Rubber x Classic Leather 30th Anniversary drops this Saturday, March 2 at Burn Rubber (8 a.m. in-store and 10 a.m. online) and through Sneakersnstuff, Crooked Tongues, Foot Patrol and other Certified Network boutiques.
For a further detailing of the story, check out our recent video (on the right) with Rick Williams and Roland Coit. And if you’ve been following Burn Rubber’s own unique Detroit Rubber show, tune in on Tuesday, March 5 at 10 a.m. to get another look into the shoe’s creation.
“The shoe takes on strong inspirations from the crew’s native city of Detroit including the Spirit of Detroit statue.”
(Top) Frank The Butcher x Reebok 30th Anniversary Classic Leather
(Right) Interview with Frank The Butcher (Frank Rivera)
Reebok teams up with another notable figure in the sneaker world for its latest Classic Leather release celebrating the coveted sneaker model’s 30 glorious years on the market. Collaborating with Frank The Butcher this time around, the sneaker is based off the Classic Leather R12 silhouette and boasts an upper made from premium navy leather and rich khaki suede. With an emphasis on making the shoe look “faster,” color blocking is used to give the sneaker the appearance of leaning forward — as seen in the navy heel portions of the cap and outsole. Frank leaves his mark in the form of a “Business as Usual” sockliner, a flow molded handtag, a custom “BAU” deubré for each side, and Frank The Butcher tabs at the tongue. Look for these at Sneakersnstuff, Crooked Tongues, Foot Patrol and other Certified Network boutiques on Saturday, March 16. Frank The Butcher will also host a party to commemorate the release on March 18, 2013 in Boston.
“I wanted this shoe to look fast and mean. The navy leather on the back makes the shoe look like it’s leaning forward, ready to take off. The slight differences in the toe box color breaks off the size of the toe.”
Frank The Butcher (Frank Rivera) recently sat down with HYPEBEAST for a lengthy discussion regarding his ever-expanding role that saw him transition from streetwear consumer to one of the more recognizable designers in the industry.
How did you approach the design of your Classic Leather? The color blocking is really on point!
Thanks! The way a shoe is color-blocked can create optical illusions. It can make shoes look “faster,” slimmer or light. Or the opposite – make them look fat or “slow.” I wanted this shoe to look fast and mean. The navy leather on the back makes the shoe look like it’s leaning forward, ready to take off. The slight differences in the toe box color breaks off the size of the toe.
(Top) Packer x Reebok 30th Anniversary Classic Leather
(Right) Interview with Mike Packer of Packer Shoes
Reebok continues its 30th anniversary celebration of the Reebok Classic Leather with this latest edition produced in collaboration with Packer Shoes, one of the members of Reebok’s Certified Network. With over 100 years of experience in the shoe retail business, Packer Shoes has been around long enough to see shoes become classics and so its fitting that its rendition of the Classic Leather borrows cues from another classic Reebok shoe, the Aztec. The shoe boasts a predominantly light blue leather and suede upper with light blue mesh panelling at the midfoot and a yellow and red Vector logo. Finished with a white and blue midsole and a black outsole, this retro runner is a great trip down memory lane. Packer Shoes x Reebok Classic Leather 30th Anniversary drops this Tuesday, March 19 at Packer Shoes and other Certified Network boutiques.
For a further look at Packer Shoes and the Reebok Classic Leather , check out our recent video with Mike Packer, owner of Packer Shoes.
“With over 100 years of experience in the shoe retail business, Packer Shoes has been around long enough to see shoes become classics…”
(Top) Mita Sneakers x Reebok 30th Anniversary Classic Leather
(Right) Interview with Shigeyuki Kunii of Mita Sneakers
It’s not often that chambray, loopback terry, pig suede and glow-in-the-dark stars come together on one pair of shoes, but mita sneakers
somehow manages to make it work. The mita x Reebok Classic Leather 30th Anniversary is the latest in a string of Reebok Classic Leather 30th Anniversary releases this year, and it’s arguably the most intriguing of the lot. A study in contrast and texture, the silhouette sports a mix-and-match combo of silky pig suede overlays, chambray underlays with glow-in-the-dark stars and suns, and soft, loopback terry collar linings. Adding more ingredients to the visual feast, meanwhile, is the use of a gum rubber outsole, along with mita sneakers-branded tongue woven labels, lace tips and sockliners. Stay tuned for news of an official release date and availability.
(Top) Solebox x Reebok 30th Anniversary Classic Leather
(Right) Interview with Hikmet of Solebox
As part of Reebok’s 30th anniversary celebration of the Classic Leather, the iconic footwear brand presents its latest reiteration with another member of the Certified Network, this time collaborating with none other than Berlin’s Solebox. Predominately enveloped in a mixture of black waxy leather and red suede, the sneaker boasts subtle details which add the premium upper. Lined with terry cotton for comfort, the Solebox x Reebok Classic Leather also sees a contrasting white midsole, both red and black waxed cotton laces, and a reflective heel accent that sports the Solebox logo. Look for these at Solebox and other Certified Network boutiques on Saturday, May 25.
(Top) Highs and Lows x Reebok 30th Anniversary Classic Leather
(Right) Interview with Scott and Srdjan of Highs and Lows
As a part of Reebok‘s ongoing celebration of the Classic Leather‘s 30th anniversary, the brand has tapped yet another influential international shop to present their take on the iconic silhouette. Working with the Reebok Certified Network, Perth, Australia’s Highs and Lows looked to design a fresh take on a classic.
Drawing influence from the interior of their store, the sneaker is adorned with a combination of forest green, sandy beige and wood-tinged burgundy around the upper, and executed with premium nubuck leather. These neat features rest atop a clean white and gum sole, retaining the shoe’s old-school identity. Other details such as waxed lacing, gold accents on the lace loops, and a subtle branded tab on the tongue complete the shoe. Look for the Highs and Lows x Reebok Classic Leather to release at the brand’s store and other Certified Network locations internationally.
“The sneaker is adorned with a combination of forest green, sandy beige and wood-tinged burgundy around the upper, and executed with premium nubuck leather…”
