Widely used by Japanese brands, the mesh upper is, at last, gaining traction with Nike, somewhat belatedly
Since vintage-y running shoes with mesh uppers were the kicks to cop last year, we have been looking for a pair that really speak to us. We are partial to those by Asics, especially the GT-2160. And the New Balance 530 (not, sorry, the 1906R or "the sneaker of the stars"!). But we have been looking at Nike too. After the release of the initially-for-women-only V2K Run, our interest was aroused. We kept a close watch for the version for men, but it didn't appear on the shelves, yet (it is finally available now). The Initiator, however, did. It is a handsome sneaker, but it is, to us, more retro-futuristic than retro per se. And then the Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2 (above) was launched not too long ago. And we were caught in a bind. We, of course, exaggerate.
The Swoosh's latest sports a refreshing silhouette and the odd Bane-would-approve caged heel that houses the Zoom Air unit. We were immediately drawn to the engineered mesh upper: a coarse version we have not seen often enough on Nike runners. While quite as coarse (the holes are larger than fine mesh) as those by Asics or Mizuno, the Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2 does as well vaguely bring to mind the Bottega Veneta Orbit sneaker. (For those of us who have to set daily spending limits on Pay Now, alternatives are really helpful.) The Swoosh packs as much of what is trending in sneakers into the Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2: grey mesh, and silver faux leather overlays. The problem, if we can call it that, is that there are too many grew/silver shoes out there.
The Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2 (yes, it's a mouthful) is not, in fact, that new a silhouette. It was first launched in 2003—the year Nike bought Converse—and was surprisingly available in bolder colours. Those into anything reminiscent of early Noughties might find the sneakers especially appealing. To be sure, in the present monochromatic scheme of things, the shoe looks truly contemporary. Not a fan of Nike's Flyknit upper, we find the mesh with the exaggerated holes of their latest runner a lot more special, even novel. Unfortunately, we have our eyes rather firmly set on the Mizuno Wave Rider 10. The Swoosh would have to wait.
Nike Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2, SGD259, is available at select Nike stores and online. Photo: Jim Sim
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