words // Brandon Richard
images // Darrell Martin
Originally released in 1996 and famously worn by Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Van Exel, the Reebok Blast returns for the first time tomorrow.
Along with classic sneakers like the Kamikaze 2, Shaqnosis and Big Hurt, the Blast was part of Reebok’s Mobius Collection, a series of 50/50 black and white counterblocked performance models. The shoe is highlighted by a blast-like heel design created by cut-out synthetic overlays. The Blast wasn’t officially a Van Exel signature, but we remember it mostly for being on his feet when he played alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Eddie Jones and a rookie Kobe Bryant during the 1996-1997 season.
In 2011, Reebok resurrected the Blast, modernizing the shoe with a redesigned upper and new tooling. While their intentions were good, it didn’t change the fact that sneakerheads wanted a crack at the original they remembered from ’96. Well, all good things are worth waiting for, and a true Blast retro is going down this week.
You can pick up these classic Reebok basketball shoes in the original White/Black-Excellent Red colorway at Eastbay for $125 tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. EST / 7:00 a.m. CST. Follow @Eastbay on Twitter and @OfficialEastbay on Instagram for all release information and updates.
Available 8/29: Reebok The Blast
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images