Reebok Beatnik, new-era footwear

The return of the Reebok Beatnik has served as a precursor to a new trend of mules and sandals crafted from a functional and utilitarian approach, with a unique look at a time when comfort is essential and nature is the reference. The hybrid design of the Beatnik allows total freedom in the choice of upper materials, making it an ideal base for experimentation. It’s built on a double layer of EVA, with fierce and serrated studs on the outsole. A perfect mix that made Needles start a series of collabs in 2018, establishing the model as an ideal fit for gorpcore and outdoor adepts.

But the Beatnik’s history dates back to Reebok's 1994 Outdoor collection. The lines of the sneaker differed from the brand's usual:  its look seemed closer to the unique and recognizable designs of Clarks, for which Nick O'Rorke, the Beatnik’s designer, had previously worked. The name Beatnik was a reference to the Beat Generation, a group of American writers that included Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, characterized by a straightforward rejection of traditional values and an out-of-the-norm casual aesthetic, which became a cliché over time.

Like many other sneakers of the mid-eighties and nineties, the Beatnik arrived to Japan from the United States, following the same route instated by clothing and trends importer Keizo Shimizu, who would later found Nepenthes and Needles. The Beatnik, like many other concepts from the American culture, was given a new meaning in the Asian country. Indeed, at the same time, many brands appeared that would change the streetwear game later on.

Years after its launch, this Reebok sneaker became a cult model in Japan, while it remained almost unknown to the rest of the world.