As track-inspired sneakers drawing inspiration from the 1970s continue to trend, Reebok has quietly introduced a model that doesn’t look like any other shoe in the Boston-based label’s repertoire.
The Reebok Spike Racer, available now from Reebok and select retailers, draws inspiration from the label’s track spikes from the 1970s all the way through to the early 2000s. This helps the lifestyle sneaker stand out from other low-profile models on the market, fusing multiple eras for a look that is wholly new.
The multi-material Spike Racer’s upper is heavy on paneling, covering its mesh base in a combination of leather, suede and synthetics. Down low, it uses a sculpted sole with 3D diamond geometry that includes aggressive spikes at the forefoot and a smoother underfoot setup on the back half.
The most unique aspect of the Spike Racer is its intentional branding, which does not include any large lateral or medial logos, instead letting the shoe’s design do the talking. Small Reebok vector logos are found stamped on the tongue and heel and the emblem is also seen on the outsole but from a glance, the look could easily be passed off as an even pricier designer sneaker.
The low-profile sneaker trend began taking shape in 2022 with widespread interest in the Adidas Samba. And as the Samba buzz cooled off, the low-profile momentum remained, with sneakers getting even slimmer and sleeker than before. At this stage, nearly every athletic footwear brand — and plenty of designer brands — have offered their own spin on the theme.
Reebok’s e-commerce store is showing limited stock for the Spike Racer sneaker, with just one or two units left in many sizes. A similar case is seen at Italian retailer Slam Jam, which likewise has only a handful of pairs left.
The Reebok Spike Racer is available now from reebok.com and Slam Jam for $189 and $192, respectively, but don’t expect it to last long given the current stock numbers. The style code for the model’s debut Gray/Timber/Black colorway is 100276262-052.