With Christmas fast approaching, festive flashes are popping up everywhere, including our article today. We can’t ignore the festive spirit here at Fortress, inviting us to revisit one of the standout concept sneakers of the past year – the fantastic Nike SB “Rudolph” Dunk Low. This collaboration between Brett Battaglia of @tagzfootwear and Isaac Apley of @thehypeleaks certainly has us feeling the holiday cheer.
This particular design is inspired by the 1964 classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Most of us are familiar with the story of Rudolph. A young red-nosed reindeer who was initially ostracized for his unique feature but eventually became a hero when his glowing nose saved Christmas. Toss in some delightful additions like Hermey the Elf and Yukon Cornelius, and you have a recipe for a cheerful Christmas watch, particularly with the kids in tow.
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The “Rudolph” Dunk Low is a fitting tribute to the admired character, embracing a combination of suede and fluffy fur to evoke a reindeer look. Of course, any Rudolph-themed sneaker necessitates an appropriate colour palette, and this pair doesn’t disappoint. It’s adorned in vibrant red and brown tones, true to the namesake character.
The sneaker’s base comprises a furry brown fabric speckled with beige to replicate the dotted pattern on a reindeer’s back. The legendary red nose then finds its representation in the abstract, frayed-edge Swoosh outlined in black. Other hits of red come through the red outsole that sits below a flesh-coloured midsole. The cherry on top is a small patch featuring Rudolph’s image adorning the sneaker’s tongue.
Of course, you might have noticed by now that these sneakers bear a striking resemblance to a design Nike SB rolled out in 2020.
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Reflecting on Nike’s past collection, the Grateful Dead SB Dunk Lows were crafted to celebrate 50 solid years of the illustrious American rock band the Grateful Dead and their much-adored studio album, American Beauty. The collection offered three vibrant neon iterations – orange, yellow, green – reminiscent of the band’s iconic cover art and portraying the rock legend’s psychedelic aesthetic. Each pair of Nike SB Dunk Lows sported a fuzzy, bear-like look, complemented by a hidden bear graphic on the tongue and jagged Swoosh logos on the side. Not only was this one of Nike SB’s most popular collaborations but it has been known to sell for up to $3,500 or more on the resale market. These Nike SB “Rudolph” Dunk Low kicks are a nice nod to the original but still manage to make the design feel like their own.
Unfortunately, these Nike SB “Rudolph” Dunk Low sneakers remained a concept last year and didn’t see a release. But hopefully, with a bit of Christmas magic, @tagzfootwear may bring them to life this year. However, if you are interested in a pair, @tagzfootwear is open to custom orders. You can reach out to them via their Instagram page or the contact form on their website. And in the meantime, don’t forget to follow us for more sneaker customs and concepts.
