Where Did The Quality Go? (OG vs Retro)

Poor Buggin' Out. His OG Cement IVs would fetch upwards of $1,000, if he kept 'em in the shoebox. 

Like any upcoming business, there is an initial business model. A plan of what they want to accomplish as a company and how they will do it. But to be a successful business, you have to understand when the business model has to change and adapt. Inflation rates, cost of production, differing trends, all contribute to why a company would alter a model. 

After doing a little research, on the subject. I recently examined Nike/Jordan's business model. As a young consumer, we want the most bang for our buck. That means quality. Nowadays, many sneakerheads complain of the slowly degrading quality of Nike/Jordan's product. For a good minute, I was one of those people with a complaint of my own. But when I stepped back and looked at things from a businessman's point of view, I saw why they shifted. 

Nike established itself as the pinnacle of quality and technology at the forefront of athletic equipment back in the 80s and 90s. The purpose of their sneakers were for athletic usage, so they were designed as high quality training equipment for the sports enthusiast. But because of the onset of Hip Hop music in the 80s and 90s, sports gear including footwear became part of the everyday culture and fashion. 

As sneakers continued to disappear from store shelves, consumers realized that if they didn't purchase more than 1 pair of their favorite kicks, they may never get the chance to wear them again. At that time, the idea of "retro-ing" a sneaker wasn't conceptualized yet. Thus creating the sub-culture of sneaker collecting.

Around 1994, Nike started introducing the first retro editions of earlier Jordan Models. It was the first time, enthusiasts were able to collect models they weren't able to purchase years prior. (correct me if I'm wrong) Nike did its market research very well. They knew of their product's popularity amongst the Hip Hop crowd. Because of this sheer fact, they knew most people who bought a pair, were not going to use them in a full 82 game season, like Michael Jordan himself! The collectors and sneakerheads alike would buy a pair or two, maybe keep one on "ice" and wear the other one occasionally to turn a few heads. The game has changed. 

With that being said, as a smart company, Nike/Jordan's original model does not fit with how the actual product is being used. It has shifted from a "Performance-first" product to a "Lifestyle-first" product. Therefore, it's only right that they hold back on the materials. Especially since, fine Italian leathers only increase the cost of production and the price the consumers pay. 

I read an interesting take on this issue from insidethesneakerbox.com: 

"Reality is, though a lot of things have changed since the OG products, but in general one thing has not, price. Foamposites dropped originally for 200.00. Over 14 years later, they are still 200.00. Minimum wage has been raised multiple times, prices have increased on everything from a gallon of milk to your college tuition, however this Nike release has stayed the same. For example, using a standard inflation calculator, a shoe that cost 145.00 in 1997, would now cost nearly 195.00. That would be a pretty hefty jump. Some Nike products have increased in price, but I would guess that over 75% have stayed the same, or even gone down for Sneakerheads because of options such as more footwear sales and options such as outlets. In 1997, the OG air max 97 was 145.00. Years later, Sneakerheads now cop air max 97′s on Friends and Family sales and Employee Appreciation hook ups. The point is Nike has a cost to swallow in some way. They are selling you a shoe in 2010 for the same price or even at as much as 50% less. Either they give you an OG Quality Jordan VI with OG quality materials at a MODERN PRICE adjusted for inflation (200.00 a pair) or they give you a decent retro version that you can actually afford and serves a purpose for the OG price. Now I know many Sneakerheads will say, “give me quality,” but I’m telling you if they say that, smack ‘em, ‘cus they are lying to themselves."

 So can we really fault them for the shift? Not really. You be the judge, being a businessman sometimes means you have to take a loss in order to win in the long-run. If you think about it, if Hip-Hop culture never influenced the sneaker business, would the quality still be at OG levels? 

 

To illustrate the difference is the above video. Is the visual difference between the two pairs enough for you to not buy a brand new one?

At the end of the day, everyone has a different preference. Of course, I love and value OG over Retro, all day any day. But its just business, if you don't want a pair, don't buy one. After doing my research on the topic, I do understand the business aspect behind it. I'll still buy a retro once in a while. When I have the money of course!

-TLG/MTFZ

Soap+Water+Toothbrush+Cloth= A Love That Won't Die.

"...I don't know about you, but I clean mine 10 times a day" 

-Dom Kennedy "Tennis Shoes" 

Most things eventually fade away. But when you truly love something, a piece of it will remain in your heart forever. If the opening photo was no indication, my first love was a pair of sneakers. 

Laces... Rubber... and Sole. 

There is beauty in simplicity. But do you have any idea what goes into conceptualizing/creating a pair of sneakers? Very complex. (Stay Tuned.. REMEMBER THIS LINE.. I WILL REFER TO IT LATER.) 

Collecting sneakers may seem like a hobby to some, but to many people its a part of something greater. The people who do it for the right reasons, add meaning and sentimental value to their collection. The shoes on my feet aren't just shoes to me. There is a story behind the acquisition. Some stories are longer than others, but there is meaning behind each pair.  

I started once I got my first job. Nobody could tell me what I could and could not buy. Finally my own money. After my first few years of collecting, I accumulated a nice stack of sneakers. Having some new sneakers every few months became a must and I started to run out of closet space. 

As a ritual, young collectors clean and take care of their sneakers, religiously. I would come home from school every Friday and spend hours opening up all the boxes and getting the cloth, cleaning solutions and tooth brush. I experimented with different combinations of cleaning liquids. Windex with hand soap. Dish Detergent with some of the Cleaning Foam from Foot Locker.. etc. etc. I could've wrote a book on it. 

To take care of Patent Leather: Spray Windex or any other window cleaning solution; wipe clean. Enjoy the sparkle. It would be my version of the Bible. 

But like I mentioned before, things fade away. Many sneakerheads, stop cleaning or maintaining. They buy 1 pair to rock and 1 pair to stock. In my humble opinion, sneakers are meant to be worn! I don't have enough money to buy two pairs of the same sneaker. I'll make sure that I put in the effort to take care of the sneaker so it keeps looking fresh, even 3 years later. 

I still take care of my sneakers. It's a love that won't die. 

You should always protect your investment. You don't need all those fancy Footaction and Footlocker fluids. Get soap, warm water, a toothbrush, some cloths, and time. 

Your kicks will thank you later. 

-TLG