crooked tongues magazine News Features

In these times of hyped blandness, where we really can't believe they're still reeling out the same collaborative roll call in 2010 (we're supposed to be getting flying cars by 2019, but we're still stuck in the 2003 mind state), the Reebok Paris Runner still feels fresh. Even though this shoe dates back to 1985. It's a sign of the times that this old world running design looks excellent, as well as a testament to Reebok's design department back in the day, prior to the gimmick onslaught, before Pumps, hexagonal plastic and energy returning cutaways. At the time of the Paris's release, they were already giving Nike headaches, but this model is still a thing of beauty.

There's a certain purity to pieces like this, Phase 1s, Phase IIs, plus the GL 6000. European fanboys plus onetime athletes know the power of the Paris, and the woven label branding retains its elegance. Funny to think that basic Reeboks have had a certain stigma as an everyman shoe. As far as we're concerned, everyman status is a badge of honour. A brand cannot live on hype alone, and while that Union Jack is just a throwback to the brand's origins—and despite the Gallic title—there's a curious Britishness to designs like the Paris, once expensive and in the envied ownership of older brothers and cousins.

More proper performance brought back nicely as Reebok really get to grips with no-nonsense retros, the navy and yellow is particularly effective. These go on sale in the Crooked Tongues store very soon...

See all Reebok shoes instore now
See all running styles instore now