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Silhouette Explored

Double Up. Get Colourful. The LDWaffle gets the colour-blocking treatment (x2). Featuring a series of multiplied panels the LDWaffle goes big but retains a sleek, feline shape. The tongue comes in 2 with classic orange Nike branding, 2 large leather contrasting Swooshes in amber yellow and orange are featured on the medial and lateral quarter panels. A large proportion of shoe appears to come from the LDV. The majority of the silhouette is made from seaweed green mesh, which is taken from the upper of the LDV, the toe cap panels which are dressed in separate shades of green and pink suede are taken from the LDV & Daybreak. The silhouette features a white foam midsole, that is characterised by a uniquely protruding ridge; the outsole is from the legendary Waffle Racer and comes dressed in black. The curved heel collar in yellow is padded and is a design feature of the LDV, whilst the reinforced suede heel counter appears twice and is taken from the Waffle Racer and the LDV.

Silhouette Explored: Waffle Racer — History

Arguably, the beginning of all things Nike; the Waffle Racer and its signature Waffle patterned outsole, that has long, deep treads begun what was the prerequisite for cushioning technology and the subsequent Air Revolution in 1978. The late Bill Bowerman, Nike co-founder and serial innovator, would use a waffle iron in his house kitchen to create a polyurethane moulded outsole. The predecessor to the Waffle Racer was the Moon Shoe, released in 1972 and worn by Mark Covert during US Olympic Trials. It was christened as such as since the tracks that it left in the ground were reminiscent of those of astronaut footprints on the Moon. The late Steve Prefontaine debuted the Waffle Racer at the 1972 Olympics, before the shoe was given a full release a year later. The shoe combined a nylon upper, with mudguard panelling and a GAT T-overlay around the toe vamp, the quarter panels on the medial and lateral side were home to a large Swoosh. The heel collar was padded and the heel counter was reinforced, important new innovations for runners at the time.

Silhouette Explored: LDV — History

The LDV was released in 1978 as one of the first running silhouettes to utilise a mesh upper. The panelling across the laceguard, heel counter and heel collar offered options in colour-blocking, a trend pre-emptive of the Jordan 1 in 1984. In 1978, mountain climbers John Roskelley & Rick Ridgeway completed the Northeast Ridge, East Face and Abruzzi Ridge & K2 ascent in Pakistan partially wearing the Nike LDV. A photo of their achievement in the Nike LDV would encourage Nike to start producing Hiking footwear, which included the Nike Lava Dome, the Nike Approach & the Nike Magma. Within 10 years, Nike would establish Nike ACG (All Conditions Gear), a diffusion line focused on apparel and footwear for harsh non-standard conditions.

Silhouette Explored: Daybreak — History

The Daybreak was released as Nike's newest running shoe in 1979, it combined a lightweight suede upper with nylon for breathability. The shoe has been credited by Nike as being the first to be created using a straight foot last (a last is a foot model that is used by shoemakers & manufacturers to construct shoes). 1979 is perhaps best known in Nike's history as the year that the Air technology was fully released through the Air Tailwind, so it's no wonder the Daybreak is a lesser known silhouette. In terms of its material construction, it was yet to utilise Air foam cushioning and instead housed an EVA foam outsole. EVA foam is an early and relatively redundant form of cushioning. The Daybreak is perhaps best known for being worn by Joan Benoit Samuelson during her 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games marathon win.

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