Dappered | In Review: Nike Blazer Low ‘77 Vintage Sneakers

[Dappered | In Review: Nike Blazer Low ‘77 Vintage Sneakers]() --------------------------------------------------------------- - [In Review: Nike Blazer Low ‘77 Vintage Sneakers](#1) - [Style Scenario: Summer Day on the Lake](#2) - [10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Cheap Polarized Sunglasses, High End Tees, & More](#3) [In Review: Nike Blazer Low ‘77 Vintage Sneakers](r/Dappered/~3/vUaMk_khLeY/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email) Posted: 29 Jun 2021 03:00 AM PDT Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head [here]( to learn more. [Nike Blazer Low ’77 Vintage Sneakers – $85]( About the Author: Adam Terry is a thirtysomething salesman in the HVAC and hydronics industry. He enjoys bourbon, boots, sneakers, raw denim, and working on his dad bod father figure. What do you get when you crossbreed a vintage inspired, low profile tennis sneaker with a very similar vintage inspired, low profile basketball sneaker? You get the Blazer Lows in a very familiar colorway that was previously only available in [the Killshot 2 tennis trainer profile](. I dub these Blazershots – a new hybrid low profile sneaker, offering the best of both worlds in one package. Let’s take a look at this pair, which I believe to be a sleeper hit for the sneaker world. [Nike Blazer Low '77 Vintage Sneakers]( Move over Killshot. The Adam Review Scale of Excellence (A.R.S.E.) - 5 – Excellent! No issues and highly recommended. - 4 – Good. Above average, but not perfect. - 3 – Average. Minor issues, might be good at the right price. - 2 – Fair. Below average due to defects, flaws, or imperfections. - 1 – Poor. Significant issues, not worth purchasing at any price. [Nike Blazer Low '77 Vintage Sneakers]( Dat swoosh. Details - Brand: Nike - Style: Retro basketball low top sneaker - Size: 10.5 US (44.5 EU) - Last: N/A - Construction: Vulcanized rubber sole - Upper: White leather upper - Sole: Solid gum rubber vulcanized outsole - Details: Exposed foam tongue, suede pieces at the toe and midfoot - Extras: None - Country of Origin: Indonesia - Price: $85 USD [Nike Blazer Low '77 Vintage Sneakers](  Classic sneaker shape. Ordering/Delivery/Returns My pair in “Sail/Gum Light Brown/Summit White/Midnight Navy” (aka the Killshot 2 white/navy swoosh colorway) was ordered via Nordstrom on a Friday afternoon and they were delivered on Monday afternoon via USPS Priority Mail. That’s pretty impressive for the US Postal Service, so I have nothing to complain about there. FYI: Nordstrom has the industry’s best return policy, in my opinion. There’s no set timetable for returns or exchanges and everything is on a case by case basis in order to best take care of their customers. As long as you don’t abuse it, Nordstrom will take care of your issues. I truly believe this is a major reason why they remain one of the last brick and mortar department stores who can withstand the retail apocalypse. Customer service above all else. But for a wider color selection, [you can go directly to Nike](. Score: 5/5 Stars – Easy ordering, quick shipping, and fantastic customer service, too! Packaging/Unboxing Nike packages their sneakers in various boxes, based on what style or tier your sneakers are in. Mine arrived in their “vintage” orange box with the white swoosh and black text on the sides. The shoes inside the box were wrapped simply in tissue paper and there were no included spare laces or anything of note. While you don’t expect much more than the sneakers themselves at this price point, I can’t help but wish there was a little more offered here. This category is always hard to judge, so take this for what it’s worth to you. Score: 3/5 Stars – Average at best. Nothing to write home about here. [Nike Blazer Low '77 Vintage Sneakers]( Orange box and sneakers. What you see is what you get. First Impressions Fresh out of the box, I really like the overall looks of the Blazer lows in this particular colorway. The tan gum rubber soles are a wonderfully warm contrast to the white, textured leather upper and off-white/grey suede accents. The navy blue Nike Swoosh keep things cool for the Summer. The subtle pops of navy on the tongue tag and rear heel tab keep things interesting. Speaking of the leather upper, it’s a fairly typical athletic sneaker leather and has a subtle grain texture to it. I assume this is a faux texture imprinted after sanding down a side of leather to make the surface overly uniform during processing and before the final surface dye. I can see the telltale blue backside and edges noting this leather is chrome tanned. Interestingly, the leather used for the toe box and side panels is a slightly warmer shade of white, whereas the facings and heel stripe are a different leather and a slightly brighter, cooler shade of white. [Nike Blazer Low '77 Vintage Sneakers]( Textured white leather with grey suede additions. The grey suede panels at the tip of the toe and at the lateral (left) side are hallmarks of old school tennis and skate shoes. Unless you’re trying to ollie your board in the Blazer lows, these suede panels probably have no modern daily function. Most of us are probably wearing sneakers like this to school, to the office, or to the mall and we’re pairing them with casual henleys or tees and tapered jeans and chinos. The style is super versatile, though! I’m a big fan of tan gum soles on white sneakers. On these Blazer lows, the rubber sidewall foxing tape is reinforced with another slice of rubber at the toe for added durability. The herringbone and swoosh pattern sole adds plenty of traction for your daily commute. All of these rubber bits are glued together on the shoe and then vulcanized in a hot, pressurized oven (autoclave) to make everything permanently bonded and more durable. [Nike Blazer Low '77 Vintage Sneakers]( Rubber gum soles with plenty of traction. Inside, the heel cup and opening is leather lined. [The remainder of the shoe is lined in a mesh-like fabric that seems pretty breathable](. The non-removable insoles are made of some sort of foam for a bit of comfort and they’re topped with some sort of terry cloth-like fabric. Imagine having a towel as an insole topper – that’s what it feels like, in a good way! Finally, [the tongue is an exposed slice of open cell foam](, lightly lined on either side so the foam can’t run away. I’m not an experienced skater by any means, but this type of foam tongue feels more comfortable than stiff leather ones on other types of shoes. However, nothing will ever beat those giant puffy tongues on old DC, Osiris, and Etnies skate shoes from two decades ago! Score: 4/5 Stars – Better than expected, but overall, still a basic Nike sneaker. Comfort, Fit, and Sizing Comfort is always subjective, especially with faux vintage athletic sneakers, but personally I found the Blazer Lows to be fairly comfortable. Standard sneaker-type comfort, similar to Adidas Stan Smiths and Nike Killshots. While they’re not as supportive as my [New Balance 997s]( or as soft and squishy as my [Yeezy Boost 350s](, I think the Blazer Lows are perfectly fine. [Nike Blazer Low '77 Vintage Sneakers]( Just in case you forget the brand of your sneaker. I found the Blazers to fit slightly short and narrow while wearing my thinner no-show, athletic-type socks. Sizing up from a 10.5 to an 11 cured this; with my heel securely in the heel cup and the widest part of my foot matching the widest part of the shoe, I have about a thumb’s width of space in front of my toes. This is the correct sizing method for me. I suggest going with your normal Nike size. If you’re unsure, try a half-size larger than your Brannock measurement. For reference, I am a 10.5 D/E on a Brannock device and take a 10 D in Alden’s Barrie last and Grant Stone’s Leo last. I take a 10.5 E in Allen Edmonds 65 last, as that last runs too narrow for me. I also take a 10.5 in Vans and an 11 in most Adidas, Nike, and Yeezy sneakers. Score: 4/5 Stars – Average comfort for sneakers, sizing is typical Nike sizing. Final Thoughts I’m certainly a fan of the Killshot and Blazer silhouettes, but I think these Blazer Lows nail it best. Everyone else be damned, ignore the Killshots and go with these Blazers in white/navy/gum instead. You’ll be happier in the long run knowing you paid less to have something that’s one of the hidden gems in sneakers. They’re comfortable on your feet, they look great with a ton of casual outfits, and they’re the unexpected “Goldilocks” option in a world chock full of minimalist, hypebeast, and influencer sneaker detritus. BlazerShots! Avg. Score: 4/5 – BlazerShots take the win and are authorized to fly the W flag proudly. [Nike Blazer Low '77 Vintage Sneakers]( ff/Dappered?a=vUaMk_khLeY:vcoAIuYHbnA:yIl2AUoC8zA ff/Dappered?a=vUaMk_khLeY:vcoAIuYHbnA:qj6IDK7rITs ff/Dappered?a=vUaMk_khLeY:vcoAIuYHbnA:gIN9vFwOqvQ [Style Scenario: Summer Day on the Lake](r/Dappered/~3/1EiPDurZ2Dw/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email) Posted: 28 Jun 2021 02:00 PM PDT Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head [here]( to learn more. What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. Going out on the lake often ends in going out for the night to the local watering hole, or heading back to a house to continue the fun on a patio or deck. Here’s a recommendation for an outfit that you can get wet on the boat and dry before you dock, and still look good on a patio for post-swimming food and drinks. A word of caution: as more people get vaccinated, crowds will continue to swell and possibly overwhelm venues in a mad rush for normalcy. Plan your day to beat the crowds, or come mentally prepared for a level of interaction you may not have had for quite some time. [Day on the lake style scenario 2021] The Shirt: [Free Fly Bamboo Heritage Polo in Cape Cod Blue – $65](. Designed to keep you cool, this polo shirt from Free Fly is ideal for a lake day. It can be tempting to default to a basic tee, but this polo will keep you prepared for whatever the day may throw at you. From sand to surf, bar to boat. 50% cotton, 50% bamboo makes for a super soft fabric, and the UPF 50 helps. Also, having a collar you can turn up against the sun (not popping for pure looks) can help keep the back of your neck from getting fried. Also available in [grey](, but this shade of blue is perfectly tuned to the scenario. The Shorts: [Wellen Hybrid Cruiser 7.5″ Short in Navy – $68](. The staple of any seafaring (okay, lakefaring) style scenario is a proper pair of shorts that offer the flexibility and comfort for a full day of variety of activities. Wellen claims these have all the “handsome looks of a classic pair of shorts plus the functionality of a full-fledged boardshort.” That makes for a perfect pair of shorts for your day on the lake. The only tip-off to the aquatic intentions is a zippered pocket to keep valuables secure – a nice touch and welcomed bit of functionality. The Watch: [Orient Mako II – $143](. Hard to find a watch with better specs at this price. Dive watches are born for the water, so you bet it’s going in a lake day style scenario. Hacking automatic movement, in stainless steel with plenty of water resistance. The Sunglasses: [Warby Parker Elio in Black Walnut – $95](. A long day on the water calls for polarized lenses to cut the glare and reduce eye fatigue until the sun goes down, and these Elio frames from Warby Parker are mighty handsome. They retro keyhole bridge is always a nice touch. In what can be an extremely casual environment, these frames are true classics and will stand out against all the bargain bin sport shades. The Shoes: [Sperry Authentic Original Leather Boat Shoe in Tan – $95](. Don’t overthink this – you’re water adjacent, and perhaps on a boat. This is the time to wear boat shoes, and unless you’ll be doing this day-in and day-out all summer, there is really no need to spend big on a pair of boat shoes. Go with the tried and true classic of the genre. Sperry even offers an [extra-cushioned version]( for all-day aquatic adventures. The Entertainment: [Bose Soundlink Revolve in Black – $180](. Keep the tunes playing all day long with this loud, yet compact bluetooth speaker. 12-hour battery life. Water resistant. The Cooler: [Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler in Navy – $300](2). Whether you’re loading up the boat or setting up shop at the end of the dock, this is guaranteed to keep your drinks cold all weekend. An absolute splurge for sure, but this is the last cooler you’ll ever need to buy. Bear proof (!) and extra-insulated, I’ve personally left drinks in one of these for 48 hours and it kept them cool enough to drink straight from the cooler with no extra help. The Sunblock: [Aveeno Mineral Sensitive Skin Sunscreen SPF 50 3oz – $10](. Great for all skin types, and uses zinc oxide for more natural sun protection. Sun safety without the greasy residue so many other cheap sunscreens leave behind on your skin. If your lake day consist of hopping in and out of the water, you may want a [waterproof beach sunscreen](as_li_ss_tl?crid=Y4D0GZ6TYXXV&dchild=1&keywords=waterproof+sunscreen&qid=1597543188&sprefix=waterproof+sunsc,aps,230&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExQ0JISTI0OThSR1pLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTkxNjE2M09BQk81SkFVTkxIWiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzAwOTMxMVlBOUVJM0s1UE8yMSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=&linkCode=sl1&tag=dappered-20&linkId=656cb0ecc41ae026b244c47073f78ac2&language=en_US). The Drink: [Sugarlands Distillery Peach Moonshine – $33](. A nice low-proof sipping whiskey, naturally flavored and distilled from American grains in the heart of Tennessee. An absolute delight. Just check your local laws for where you can drink adult beverages. And leave the booze for when you’re land-lubbing it. Only pirates know how to drink well on a boat, and even many of them ended up over the side, taking the big wet sleep in Davey Jones’ locker. The Hydration: [Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier – $24.99 / pack of 16](. Being sunburnt and dehydrated (or worse, sunburnt, dehydrated AND hungover) is something straight out of hell. Pace yourself with any adult beverages, and drink water like there’s no tomorrow. Boost your hydration with one of these Liquid IV packets. Surprisingly tasty. Drink water. Lots of water. UPDATE: Big thanks to our man Brandon D. for seeing that Costco sells this stuff for less. [$29.99 for a pack of 30](2c-30-individual-serving-stick-packs-in-resealable-pouch.product.100301223.html). About the Author: Jason P. spends his days working in the creative marketing department of a big telecom company. He also does a bit of real estate investing on the side. He believes in curating a timeless, classic wardrobe with subtle modern touches for today. He and his wife love hiking with their dog and shopping at local small businesses and antique stores when they travel. Jason is a practitioner of muay thai and traditional boxing, and his favorite drink is a hoppy New England IPA. ff/Dappered?a=1EiPDurZ2Dw:nrB_pyRLa6Q:yIl2AUoC8zA ff/Dappered?a=1EiPDurZ2Dw:nrB_pyRLa6Q:qj6IDK7rITs ff/Dappered?a=1EiPDurZ2Dw:nrB_pyRLa6Q:gIN9vFwOqvQ [10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Cheap Polarized Sunglasses, High End Tees, & More](r/Dappered/~3/IQ77CNiR-DE/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email) Posted: 28 Jun 2021 08:00 AM PDT Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head [here]( to learn more. Proof that style doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It’s our monthly list of ten picks, each individually costing less than seventy five bucks. Got a tip on something for under $75? Send those in to joe@dappered.com. [Huckberry Clear Frame Polarized Weekenders Sunglasses – $35]( [Huckberry Clear Frame Polarized Weekenders Sunglasses]( For those that want to try out the clear/”crystal” sunglasses frame trend, but don’t want to dive in fully with a super spendy pair of shades. Polarized lenses to cut glare off the water, simple and subtle Huckberry tree logo. 50.8mm lens diameter. Thirty five bucks = perfect price. [Target Goodfellow & Co. Acacia Wood Valet Tray – $16.99]( [Target Goodfellow & Co. Acacia Wood Valet Tray]( A place for every thing and every thing in its place. That’s one way to reduce clutter. Having a few valet trays around your home really can help you keep things organized, and this option from Target’s Goodfellow has gotten good reviews, and that little notch to keep your phone’s charging cord in place is a smart detail. Also, it’s CHEAP. [J. Crew Dock Short in Stretch Yarn-dyed Plaid – $26.49]( FINAL w/ BESTSALE ($69.50) [J. Crew Dock Short in Stretch Yarn-dyed Plaid]( Dock shorts and patterns are big this summer. But sometimes combining the two can make you look a little… loud. The solution would be to de-saturate the pattern a bit. Like these blue/green/tan plaid options from J. Crew. Final sale, so no returns. Part of the extra 50% off blowout they’re running. [Full picks here if you want them](. [Bombas No-Show Merino Blend Socks – $8.40]( ($14) [Bombas No-Show Merino Blend Socks]( Performed extremely well during [our big No-Show-Socks roundup](. On sale at Norstrom, and since it’s Nordstrom, they ship for free even if you buy just these socks. Just one color available (the “morning joe” shown above), but… they’re no shows! So, shouldn’t matter. [Made in Portugal Wills Finespun Tee – $42]( [Made in Portugal Wills Finespun Tee]( If a “Dressed up” tee can exist, this would be it. But it’ll also look just fine with shorts and sneakers too. Yes it’s spendy, but if you’re looking for a t-shirt with a bit of luxe, this could be it. Mercerized cotton with a cotton-spandex collar that is super smooth and crazy comfortable. Impressive. It honestly feels like an upgrade over cheaper t-shirts. And it better be for the price. Size shown above is a medium on 5’10″/190. Also available in navy or gray. Sold by Huckberry. [Amazon Exclusive Buttoned Down Brand 100% cashmere v-neck – $42.80]( ($113) [Amazon Exclusive Buttoned Down Brand 100% cashmere v-neck]( Went on sale [during Prime Day](, and the price has strangely stuck. Two things can be true. 1. It’s not sweater season. 2. It’s always on-sale cashmere season. Forty two bucks is like junky department store cotton sweater prices. That’s just wild. These are 100% cashmere, well reviewed, and from Amazon’s upgraded line “Buttoned Down.” Plus, if you grabbed a gift card during Prime Day with the spend $40 get a $10 free credit deal, then these drop to $32 if you use that credit. What a time to be alive. [Uncle Seiko Custom Curved Tropic Strap for SKX007 – $39]( [Uncle Seiko Custom Curved Tropic Strap for SKX007]( Via our man Aaron K.: Thanks to the internets, there have never been more options for choosing a new strap, bracelet, or other custom options for your watch (as shown at the very top of this post). With summer here, now is a great time to consider mixing up your wrist wear to better handle the heat. One company that’s well-versed in the strap game is [Uncle Seiko](. As the family name would suggest, this uncle specializes primarily in straps and bracelets for Seiko models, with a ton of options available. There are also a variety of bracelets for Omega [Speedmaster]( and [Seamaster]( models. There are a number of ‘straight end’ bracelets and straps, which should fit most any watch of the specified lug width. Where Uncle Seiko shines, though, is with the custom/fitted straps and bracelets that conform to specific watches. [The $39 Custom Curved Tropic Strap for SKX007]( (seen here on an [Islander ISL-01](, which shares the same case design) is a take on the classic tropic strap design dating from the 1960s. It’s a soft, comfortable rubber strap with the classic woven tropic pattern on the top, and has deep indentations on the wrist side. That wrist-side texturing help this strap breathe better than I expected from a rubber strap. I also like how the texture on the strap & keeper tends to prevent the keeper from moving around. I’d never owned a fitted rubber strap, such as this, and it’s a great, custom look. Usually you can’t choose your family, but this is an instance where adopting an uncle is worthwhile. [Banana Republic Vegan Suede Backpack – $38.99]( ($98.50) [Banana Republic Vegan Suede Backpack]( For the backpack crowd. Somehow BR has made some [actually QUITE nice vegan suede these last few years](, and this thing is getting an extra 50% off at checkout (just like [the rest of their sale section](). [Billion Dollar Loser by Reeves Wiedeman – $15.49]( [Billion Dollar Loser by Reeves Wiedeman]( Our monthly book suggestion from Jeremy Anderberg, who among other things works for [Art of Manliness](, but also has [his own terrific “What to Read Next” newsletter](. You should [sign up for it](. Here’s his review: “Though I had heard of WeWork before its epic downfall, I wasn’t all that familiar with the story or the eccentric founder Adam Neumann. Lucky for me (all of us, really), Reeves Wiedeman captures the tale with a dramatic, novelistic flair in Billion Dollar Loser. Much like Elizabeth Holmes—of Theranos infamy—before him, Neumann was an ideas guy. The financials didn’t matter, the tech didn’t matter (he rarely used a computer or email)—all that mattered was securing more investor money with bolder and bolder claims for the company’s future. (It should be mentioned here that the investors were, in many cases, equally responsible for pushing WeWork’s valuation into the stratosphere.) Instead of being the ultimate technology company that would bring a sense of community to the world—which is how Neumann always pitched it—WeWork was a poorly performing real estate leasing company run by a delusional nepotist. Highly entertaining summer reading that’ll satisfy that guilty pleasure itch.” [Rhone Delta Pique Notch Tees – $39]( FINAL ($78) [Rhone Delta Pique Notch Tee]( For those that understandably love [the Rhone Delta Pique tech polos](. Same fabric here, only in a t-shirt shape with a not-too-deep (thank goodness) contrasting notch at the neck. Size shown above is a medium on 5’10″/190. For other Best Bets under $75 from previous months, [click here](. ff/Dappered?a=IQ77CNiR-DE:GGM2rlM-0bY:yIl2AUoC8zA ff/Dappered?a=IQ77CNiR-DE:GGM2rlM-0bY:qj6IDK7rITs ff/Dappered?a=IQ77CNiR-DE:GGM2rlM-0bY:gIN9vFwOqvQ You are subscribed to email updates from [Dappered Style Mail](). To stop receiving these emails, you may [unsubscribe now](. Email delivery powered by Google Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States