The Nike Trainerendor has quickly become Nike's newest cult-favorite sneaker of 2013. It's categorized, by Nike, as an "Off-Mountain Shoe," which denotes it as a sneaker that's designed for wearing after snowboarding. Priced at $80, the Trainerendor is a no-brainer purchase for anyone who wants a sneaker that's built for athletic standards, looks modern, and is rugged and affordable.
The Trainerendor is this year's Roshe Run.
The cool thing about the Roshe Run was that it came out of nowhere, and built and an organic hype without Nike marketing the sneaker or there being overly hyped releases. It was also $70.
And the Trainerendor did the same thing, too. Of course, it's impossible to not note the silhouette being collaborated on by Stussy and Poler, but people were still buying the black-and-white version before word of the collabs hit the Internet.
People just wanted sneakers to wear everyday, and could take the place of their coveted Air Jordans or collaborative ASICS and New Balances. The Roshe and Trainerendor proved, however, that the person knew what was up with sneakers and weren't grabbing budget-priced sneakers for their off-day kicks.
Nike does make casual sneakers, but true heads and sneaker fanatics are always looking for the next innovative sneaker that serves its purpose by doing nothing at all. The Roshe Run was great because it was a sneaker inspired by running, but wasn't a serious running sneaker at all. Anyone could afford it, and it embraced the sportswear culture that Nike embodies. Roshe Runs and Trainerendors could act as recovery sneakers, a concept that Nike has used before in classic ACG sneakers such as the Air Moc--a sneaker built for hikers who were loafing around the campfire after ascending peaks.
Anyone could afford it, and it embraced the sportswear culture that Nike embodies.
But that's not all the Roshe Run and Trainerendor have in common.
Both sneakers were seriously built. It's tough to wear down a pair of Roshes--they're the ideal summer sneakers that would never die. And the Trainerendor has a lockdown strap on the forefoot of the sneaker, and flex grooves in a chunky, outdoor-capable outsole.
Both of these sneakers look like they're more than sufficient to tackle the obstacles that everyday life throws at people: running to the bodega, combating city streets, and even being worn on excursions upstate. Roshes and Trainerendors are both built with nonrestrictive uppers, which makes them super comfortable. And if a sneaker feels great, people are going to wear it.
Putting a great pricepoint on these two sneakers and making them accessible is proof that Nike isn't only pandering to people who want limited-edition sneakers. There are plenty of readily available classics that can be purchased at the local sneaker store without a line-up or camping out. It just takes the right eye and the willingness to try something new.
