crooked tongues magazine News Features

How hard did the Nizza come back in the last 18 months? We'd long ignored them beyond the blue and white versions, but we've finally accepted them as a decent adidas heritage piece that encapsulates a craving for simple stuff that doesn't seem to be subsiding. We even had our name attached to some distressed versions that split opinion in the office - for the record, we prefer them pristine. It only takes a week to 'vintage' white canvas - and that's when you're treading relatively carefully. What really gave this kick a kickstart was the well-timed Porter collaboration last year, the best of the dual-brand Nizzas (though the LimitEDitions one worked well too) in the Five-Two 3 project - the black nylon, white toecap, orange lining, tongue label and accompanying bag made the whole package make a lot of sense. The rear zip on the shoe didn't feel laboured, and could shake off Visvim rip-off comments too. Inevitably, they sold with a certain brevity.

Normally overt nods to a previous limited edition that enter the inline collection feel a little cheap in approach and execution, but this selection uses the same zip Nizza Hi upper, with the rear fastening covered inside to stop your heels being turned to mincemeat, and works pretty well. A black version is a little close for comfort, but the other shades are good, and as a shoe that can be a pain to throw on, even without those expensive luggage associations, we can see the point of that zip application.