The underrated Reebok Club C. from 1985 proves that Reebok managed to survive the massive wave of space-age runners. The Reebok Club C from 1985 is truly a tennis icon that lives on.
Reebok is a stubbornly old-school brand that hasn’t evaporated. They are still very much alive and don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Reebok Club C 1985 Sneakers
Reebok Club C 85 Elm Fresh Blue
By elaborating a smart balance between creating new models and approaching different segments, while keeping it true to their roots as a brand. As a better proof of that is the fact that its retro models are still getting out there and grabbing the attention of more and more fans.
The Club C is one of the most audacious examples of the longevity of Reebok’s catalog. In the last few years, we’ve seen all sorts of new sneaker tech take hold of the market.
But, somehow, the Club C was lauded enough to warrant a return to shelves. You don’t need to look far beyond your own street corner to see what the footwear industry obsesses over these days.
Nike, adidas, even Puma are officially on the trend of knit uppers and super soft midsoles. Additionally, we also see a whole lot of sleek, futuristic shapes. It isn’t quite that every company wants to the NMD, but they certainly want to sell as much.
This is where shoes like the Reebok Club C come into such a surprising light.
The Tennis Sneakers “Fever”:
The Reebok Club C splashes onto the scene at the height of tennis sneakers, in 1985. It’s basically a rebrand of the Reebok Revenge Plus. The name change is fairly appropriate.
With the C standing for “Champion,” it seems more in line with the tennis sneaker scene the brand was aiming for. For the most part, the design is one of 80s functionality.
The upper is a durable leather and the inner lining boasts a terry towel build for a cooling effect. It’s an athletic shoe that somehow appeals to the fashion scene.
This sort of ideal is nothing new in 1985, as the Stan Smith model had been dominating for quite some time. What makes the Club C a bit different is that we see woven and BOOST versions of the Stan Smith on the horizon.
adidas has already brought out several Stan Smith models that boast a PrimeKnit upper. But the Club C doesn’t shift far from its origins at all. Even when a special edition was released shortly after signing Kendrick Lamar to the fold, the C was structurally the same.
No knits, no space-age foams, no rethinking of the shape. It was still the same old Champion sneaker that graced tennis courts while keeping runway pros captivated as well.
The Present and the Future:
Today, the Reebok Club C sees itself in many a sneaker store shelf, finding new life. Luckily for the brand, there is a very tangible wave towards the trend of older, bulkier sneakers.
You can bet the OG sneakerheads will be a bit smug that the Club C they know and love is still so relevant, from the days of Boris Becker to 2017.
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Image credits: Reebok and Hanon Shop
Image credits (Featured): Concrete