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Revived Retro Runners You Need This Summer

Revived Retro Runners You Need This Summer

Jun 14, 2021

Performance running technology has come a long way since the 70s and 80s. Whereas the waffle sole was revolutionary back in the day, today we have space-tested cushioning systems, breathable construction materials made from recycled plastics and quick lacing systems.

But what retro runners lack in modern tech, they make up for in timeless style. Many feature sleek, aerodynamic bodies, low-cut silhouettes, and mixed-material uppers — all of which are still very much in fashion in 2021. Our summer forecast shows a rise in popularity for classic kicks across the board, but we’ve hand-picked these revived retro runners you need this sunny season.

Reebok Classic Leather 

Running shoes skyrocketed popular in the 1980s, and to meet growing demand, Reebok rose to the challenge. In 1983, the brand introduced its Reebok Classic Leather sneaker, the first running shoe to feature a leather upper. Nearly four decades later, these Reebok Classic running shoes are still made with smooth and tumbled leathers for a retro aesthetic that we can’t get enough of.

The Classic Leather also employs a lugged rubber outsole, a die-cut EVA midsole for lightweight shock absorption and a removable Ortholite foam sockliner for additional cushioning and comfort. The Reebok Classic Leather has also been reimagined into the Reebok Classic Legacy, which retools the OG Classic Leather to have a more angular body and an upper made from mesh, suede and smooth leather materials. 

OG PUMA Fast Rider

To say that the PUMA Fast Rider is a legend is, well, a serious understatement. Developed in the 1970s and introduced to the sneakersphere in the early 80s to capitalize on the jogging “fad,” these classic PUMA shoes were the answer for pavement pounders of all ages.

Vintage color-blocking, signature Formstrip, suede overlays and serious cushioning make these PUMA retro runners as relevant today as they were way back when. Both the PUMA Future Rider and the Style Rider take the DNA of that OG shoe and modernize it with 21st-century tech and construction materials, but the original’s style and character still reign (or rather, run) supreme. 

New Balance 574

Performance and everyday wearability make this classic New Balance running shoe an absolute must-have. The New Balance 574 was initially launched in 1988 as a bit of an experiment; the brand was looking to create a sneaker perfect for road and trail running. This particular model combines elements of several New Balance sneakers with its mesh-suede upper, EVA foam cushioning and ENCAP midsole. Today these kicks endure for their classic Dad-shoes aesthetic, solid construction and availability in dozens of colorways!

Nike Daybreak

Nike designed the Daybreak with nylon and suede uppers, a thick EVA midsole and an outsole featuring the brand’s classic waffle traction pattern. The running shoe was released in 1979 and less than a decade later they led marathoner Joan Benoit Samuelson to victory in the 1984 Olympic Games.

A newer model recently came along to pay tribute to original Nike running sneakers. In 2020, the brand released its DBreak-Type — a low-slung running sneaker that features a deconstructed mesh upper with leather and suede accents, characteristic waffle outsole and signature Nike performance tech.

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