COMMENTARY: Reebok Classic Shaq Attaq “Away”

The original Reebok Shaq Attaq is the best signature shoe in Shaquille O’Neal’s footwear catalog. It’s also arguably the best Reebok shoe in the brand’s basketball category history.

It’s sleek, smooth, high (but not atrociously high), comfortable, and different.

In a sense, Reebok’s Shaq Attaq was an answer to all brands where shoes for big men on the hardwood were often unattractive, clunky or slappy, and burdened with straps and heavy rubber. The Shaq Attaq was a new kind of shoe for a new kind of athlete. Just as Shaq himself was quick, exciting, smooth, and new, so was his Shaq Attaq.

The azure blue accents, the mixture of suede and leather, the blue tongue Pump, and that unforgettable “SHAQ” Dunkman logo makes the shoe a classic of the classics.

–SD

COMMENTARY: Reebok Classic Shaqnosis “Barracks”

The Reebok Shaqnosis has always been a shoe that stood out, namely for its so-called hypnotizing, concentric design. It was an attention-getter in its initial release and still somewhat in its retro glory.

I’ve never been a fan — namely, because of the fact that concentric circles on a big, wide shoe aren’t attractive to me in and of itself, and the fact that Shaquille O’Neal’s original player-only version balanced the drastic design with a higher cut, making his non-retail version significantly easier on the eyes that the standard mid.

Well, Reebok Classic has resurrected the Shaqnosis in a special “Barracks” colorway that pays homage to Shaq’s military upbringing.

And I like it a lot.

One reason that I like the Barracks version is that it eschews the mapping of the traditional color placement and leans on the upper being totally monochromatic; this gives the Shaqnosis a much smoother look and layout and makes it easier on the eyes.

A second reason for my favorable opinion of the Barracks is that a soft cargo green is used with dark grey and tan, which are attractive colors for a lifestyle sneaker; the Shaqnosis is literally transformed into something other than a walking spiral and becomes more of something that flows when it comes to wear.

Thirdly, because of the color change from black to white to softer hues, the silhouette of the shoe stands out, and the shape is very attractive. Even if the Shaqnosis weren’t known as Shaq’s signature shoe, the design of the sneaker, in its shape, is impressive. The Barracks colorway helps encourage the life to the shoe to be extended, by breaking away from its heritage.

Reebok scores high  on this.

–SD