Nike Blazers: History, Skate Shoe Status, and Buying Guide

Few sneakers have traveled as many surfaces — from polished basketball floors to gritty skatepark concrete — as the Nike Blazer. First released in 1973 as a high-top basketball shoe, it later found a second life as a skateboarding essential after Nike SB introduced a skate-specific version in 2005, according to Nike’s official history.

First released: 1973 ·
Original purpose: Basketball shoe ·
Skateboarding adoption: 2005 (Nike SB) ·
Iconic model: Blazer Mid ’77

The table below captures the core details of the Blazer’s journey from the court to the streets.

Why are they called Nike Blazers?

1973 basketball debut and naming origin

• The Blazer debuted in 1973 as a high-top basketball sneaker according to Nike’s official history.
• The shoe was named after the Portland Trail Blazers, an NBA expansion team that also launched in 1970 (Nike History).

Connection to the Portland Trail Blazers

Nike’s archives show that the “Blazer” name directly references the team. The original white high-top featured a leather upper, mesh nylon tongue, and vulcanised rubber sole, as detailed by The Drop Date. The implication: the shoe’s identity was built around a sports franchise, not just a performance feature.

Does Nike still sell blazers?

Current Nike Blazer models in production

• Nike continues to produce the Blazer in multiple variants: Mid ’77, Low, and SB (Sole Retriever).
• The Blazer line remains active with new colorways releasing through 2025 and 2026 (Sole Retriever).

Where to buy new and retro versions

Nike sells Blazers directly through Nike.com and via authorized retailers such as Foot Locker, JD Sports, and online marketplaces. Retro collaborations occasionally appear on platforms like StockX (StockX).

Are Nike Blazers a skate shoe?

Nike SB Blazer line and skateboarding adoption

• Nike founded its skateboard division, Nike SB, in 2002 and added a modified Blazer to the lineup in 2005 (StockX).
• The SB Blazer features Zoom Air cushioning and a more robust suede upper than the original (Sneakerjagers).

Comparison with traditional skate shoe features

Before the SB version, skaters adopted the original Blazer because its heavy leather and suede uppers stood up to grip tape, and the vulcanised outsole provided the traction needed for board feel (StockX). The trade-off: the original lacks the extra padding and impact protection that Nike SB later added.

Skateboarding icon Tony Hawk has been associated with the Blazer’s skate culture, and his career highlights are detailed in our Tony Hawk biography.

What are Nike Blazers best for?

Everyday casual wear and street style

• Modern Blazers are primarily lifestyle shoes, not performance basketball (Nike Sizing Guide).
• Retro colorways and collaborations (e.g., Supreme in 2006) turned the Blazer into a streetwear icon (Sneakerjagers).

Skateboarding (SB models)

The Nike SB Blazer includes Zoom Air insoles for impact protection, making it genuinely functional for skateboarding (Sneakerjagers).

Basketball (retro aesthetic only)

No serious player uses the Blazer for hoops today. The technology is surpassed by modern basketball sneakers, but the look references the courts of the 1970s.

What is the Nike Blazer Mid 77?

Key features: leather upper, vintage midsole

• The Mid ’77 is a retro reissue of the 1977 model, featuring a padded collar, vintage finish, and leather upper (Nike Sizing Guide).
• It comes in men’s, women’s, and kids’ sizes (Nike Sizing Guide).

Differences from the Low and High versions

The Blazer Low offers a lower cut for casual wear, while the High (original height) provides more ankle coverage. The Mid ’77 sits between them, with a padded collar that gives a classic look. Nike’s sizing guide notes that all versions tend to run half a size small, so going up half a size is recommended.

Eight key specs, one pattern: the Blazer’s design has barely changed in over five decades — and that’s exactly why it works.

“The Blazer was Nike’s first basketball shoe, and its original outsole was designed for hardwood traction. Skateboarders later realized that same tread pattern worked perfectly on grip tape.”

– Nike historian, A History of Nike’s First Basketball Shoe

“Materials that were outdated for basketball — heavy leather, thick suede — were ideal for skateboarding because the outsole offered traction and the mudguard protected the toe box from grip tape.”

– StockX editorial team, The Buyer’s Guide: Nike Blazer

“The Supreme collaboration in 2006 turned the Blazer into a luxury streetwear piece, with quilted leather and snakeskin Swooshes.”

– Sneakerjagers, The Ultimate Nike Blazer FAQ

For anyone eyeing a pair of Nike Blazers today, the choice is between heritage and function. Go with the standard Blazer Mid ’77 for everyday style, or pick the SB version if you actually skate. Either way, you’re wearing a piece of sneaker history that’s still being written. For shoppers in Europe and the US, the question isn’t whether to buy — it’s which silhouette fits your life.

Related reading: **Nike Blazers: Complete Guide to Styles, Fit, and History**

Frequently asked questions