Blazer
The Nike Blazer is one of Nike’s oldest basketball shoes and a timeless sneaker with a slim, vintage silhouette. With its large Swoosh, leather upper and thin sole, it is as easy to wear with a suit as with jeans. The Blazer Mid ’77 in particular is a staple, for women and men.
The history of the Nike Blazer
The Blazer appeared in the early 1970s as one of Nike’s first basketball shoes. Its name refers to the Portland Trail Blazers, the NBA team from the brand’s home state. George ‘The Iceman’ Gervin was the first player to get his own version: the heel read ‘ICEMAN’ instead of ‘NIKE’. That made the Blazer an early forerunner of the signature shoe.
When newer basketball shoes took over the court, skaters discovered the Blazer for the grip of its sole and its sturdy suede and leather. In 2005 it got its own skate version at Nike SB. Later, collaborations with Off-White, sacai and KAWS brought a new wave of attention.
Design and versions
Its hallmarks are the oversized Swoosh on the side, the leather upper and the thin vulcanised sole, which keeps the shoe close to the ground. The Blazer Mid ’77 Vintage is based on the 1977 version, with a tongue whose foam edge is exposed and a slightly yellowed midsole. There is also a Low version and a Platform edition with a thicker sole, popular with women.
Popular Nike Blazer colorways
These are the Blazers WOOVIN visitors pick most often right now:
- Blazer Mid ’77 Vintage ‘White Black’: white leather with a black Swoosh and a vintage midsole, the classic of the line.
- Blazer Low Platform ‘White Black’ (W): the same black-and-white combination on a low shoe with a thicker sole.
- Off-White x Blazer Low ‘Black Electro Green’: black with bright green details, from the collaboration with Virgil Abloh’s label.
- Blazer Low Platform ‘Pink Glaze’ (W): soft pink accents on a white base.
- sacai x Blazer Low ‘Medium Grey Classic Green’: grey suede with green, with the doubled Swoosh and tongue typical of sacai.
What is the difference between the Blazer and the Dunk?
Both are classic basketball shoes with a flat profile, but the Blazer is older and slimmer. It has a thin vulcanised sole and a bigger Swoosh, while the Nike Dunk has a thicker cupsole with more cushioning. If you want a sturdier, chunkier classic, also take a look at the Nike Air Force 1.
How does the Nike Blazer fit?
The Nike Blazer generally fits true to size, so you can choose your regular Nike size. The last is on the narrow side, though, especially on the Mid ’77, and the leather needs a little breaking in. With wide feet, go half a size up. Versions with (W) follow Nike’s women’s size chart; in EU sizes you order your own size.
Buy the Nike Blazer at WOOVIN
On WOOVIN you will find the Blazer Mid ’77, Low and Platform for women and men, plus collaborations with Off-White and sacai. Choose the Mid ’77 for the classic vintage look and the Low or Platform if you want a lower shoe that sits easily under trousers. If you actually skate, also have a look at the Nike SB Dunk.
