Hiroshi Fujiwara and Yoshikage Kajiwara talk about Nike Sock Racer.
The Nike Sock Racer was born in 1986 as a unique running shoe with two straps. Despite its eccentric looks, the shoe became the talk of the track and field world at the time when a runner wearing it won the Boston Marathon that year, proving its superior functionality. More than 30 years later, the Nike Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit has been updated to suit modern lifestyles. What did Hiroshi Fujiwara and Yoshikage Kajiwara, two of the industry's biggest sneaker enthusiasts, think of this model? We asked them to look back on Nike's sock sneakers, which have been developed as derivatives of the Air Sock Racer, and talk about the appeal of these sneakers.
Left: Hiroshi Fujiwara / President of Fragment Design
Born in 1964. Music producer. He has collaborated with Nike on "HTM" and various other projects. He also has a close relationship with Mark Parker, CEO of Nike, both publicly and privately.
Right: Yoshikage Kajiwara / LOWERCASE Representative
Born in 1965, he became an independent creative director after working for "BEAMS". After working for BEAMS, he became an independent creative director, and in November 2015, he launched the contents site "Ring of Colour" with Hiroshi Fujiwara, and has recently been involved in consulting for new businesses for apparel-related companies.
Shoes that you will want to wear with shorts.
-First of all, what are your impressions of the Nike Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit?
Fujiwara:I thought they looked a bit like modern slip-ons or even rehabilitation shoes (laughs). (Laughs) Regardless of that, this kind of sneaker is the kind I like to wear with shorts in the summer. Barefoot, without socks.
marshlandI agree. In summer, I want to wear sneakers with less volume like these.
Nike Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit ¥13,000+tax each
Fujiwara:I have the impression that Mr. Kajiwara often wears this kind of sneakers with shorts in the summer.
marshlandI think so. Sneakers are always a good pairing with shorts.
At the time of its release, it was locally popular in the fashion industry.
-By the way, have either of you ever worn the "Sock Racer" that this model is based on?
Fujiwara:I didn't wear them when they were first released. How about you, Mr. Kajiwara?
Reissue of the original "Nike Sock Racer" (personal item)
marshlandI was about 22 or 3 years old when this model came out, and I had just started working at "BEAMS" as a part-time employee. I think they were locally popular in the fashion industry.
-What was your impression when you first saw it?
marshlandI thought, "That looks like the beak of a platypus" (laughs).
Fujiwara:It looks like a platypus.
marshland: But that was cool. It had a sleek, sharp form.
Fujiwara:I didn't wear them when they first came out, but I wore them a few years ago when I went to the beach or to the river.
-Speaking of oceans and rivers, there were also marine shoes called "Aqua Sock" before "Sock Racer".
Left: "AquaSoc", Right: original "AquaSoc TOO3" (both personal items)
marshlandI've missed it.
Fujiwara:: I miss it. But I was skateboarding all the time back then, so I wore only "Dunk" or "Court Force" bashes. I couldn't skateboard in sock shoes like Sock Racer or Aqua Sock.
A common denominator with the recently popular "sock dart".
Nike's "Sock Dart" is another example of a sock-type shoe. Since Hiroshi hooked up with them, they have been gaining momentum over the past few years.
Original "Nike Sock Dart" (personal item)
Fujiwara:: "Sockdart" was originally developed as one of the HTMs, but I thought the project was cut off and dropped in the middle of the project.
marshlandI was in charge of the promotion. By chance, it was decided that it would be sold exclusively at BEAMS in Japan, and I was put in charge of its promotion.
Fujiwara:In terms of design, the "Sock Racer" has an organic feel, while the "Sock Dart" has a futuristic feel that is typical of Nike at the time.
marshlandI have the impression that these shoes came out of a completely different context from the previous "Nike" models. In any case, both the "Sock Racer" and "Sock Dart" have something in common in the sense that they have elastic uppers, no laces, and are held in place by straps.
How comfortable are the new "Sock Racers"?
Fujiwara:: By the way, I wonder how comfortable these new "sock racers" are to wear? Can I try them on for a bit?
-Please come in.
Fujiwara:......Yeah, they are very easy to wear. They are lightweight and have a good footprint.
marshlandThe upper is flyknit, so the fit is comfortable.
Fujiwara:I think it looks good for rehabilitation after all (laughs).
marshlandI'm personally looking forward to wearing these with shorts in the summer, as I said at the beginning.
Fujiwara:: Yes, that's right. But, yes, I think these look and feel pretty good, but I'm a bit of an innocent ....... I think I'll put them away for a while and wear them next year (laughs).
