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After a week’s worth of teaser trailers and a small assist from Drake, Nike is now peeling back the curtain fully on Devin Booker‘s first signature sneaker.
The Book 1 will hit stores next spring in four colorways, although Nike is still continuing to show the all-orange version exclusively. Booker presented Nike’s design team with a few starting points from the past to inform his debut model: the Air Force 1, which is the most obvious source of inspiration at first glance; the Blazer; the Air Jordan 1; and the 1972 Chevy Blazer K5, an SUV the Phoenix Suns star restored, converted to a lowrider, and nicknamed “Uncle Larry.” The vehicle maintains its original patina on the outside with a modern high-performance engine under the hood — a mix of old and new that Nike highlights for the Book 1.
“Early on, we landed on the phrase ‘future classic,'” Booker said in a press release. “At the beginning of the design process, we landed on the idea of the shoe combining lifestyle and performance worlds. The goal was to create something that would be timeless.”
A Cushlon 2.0 midsole gives the Book 1 lateral stability, cushioning, and responsiveness with a rigid TPU sidewall adding support. Nike’s Zoom air bag is then top-loaded at the heel, while a midfoot shank plate offers torsional rigidity. Further down, a herringbone pattern on the outsole gives the sneaker its traction.
Throughout the press cycle for the sneaker, Booker and Nike have been clear about their desire to make the Book 1 appeal in the lifestyle space in addition to its function on the court.
Book has been routinely seen rocking workwear, and the shoe’s upper uses canvas and twill inspired by this type of clothing to provide durability. Suede is used at the collar and leather at the forefoot for both reinforcement and a plush, broken-in feeling. The shoe’s heel pull tab nods to book spine and hosts the words “Chapter One” beneath the loop. On loop itself, which contains several layers inspired by the pages of a book, “96” appears as a reference to Booker’s birth year.
Other personalized details include a barcode on the insole that containers Booker’s jersey number and the area codes for his birthplace Grand Rapids, Mich.; his high school in Moss Point, Miss.; and Phoenix, where he now plays.
Although the Nike Book 1 “Clay Orange” isn’t scheduled to release until spring, Nike is hosting an early release this week at Art Basel in Miami. Sign-ups will go live at 10 a.m. ET Friday, Dec. 8, through the SNKRS app for those in the Miami area only. The winners selected will be able to purchase their sneakers Sunday, Dec. 10, and the Unkwn store.
Although Booker has worn several Book 1 colorways on-court this season, it’s not yet clear which additional colorways will release in the spring. Booker has also worn another all-orange pair that’s constructed with different materials.
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About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
