Official Air Jordan 1 Retro High Thread Vol: Best Model/Thread

[Davey Magoo]

In my opinion, Nike has done everything it possibly can to show it’s most loyal customers that it doesn’t give a flying funk about them. It’s only allegiance is to the almighty dollar. So this unfettered, almost religious loyalty that some have to “authentic” Jordan brand kicks is somewhat mystifying to me.

If you could be guaranteed that a rep would be virtually identical to an authorized pair in terms of materials, shape, craftsmanship etc., and sold for below retail, you’d rather pay three times over retail for a pair in the aftermarket…simply because it was made in a Nike sweatshop?

Or you could buy a pair that, by some reputable accounts, surpasses any authentic Jordan Brand product, and you wouldn’t do that either. Y‘all who spend so much time complaining about subpar quality, down to every minute detail. All because of some incomprehensible devotion to a company that couldn’t care less in return.

It makes absolutely no sense to me.

I guess we can have a deeper, metaphysical conversation about the true meaning and significance of “authenticity.”

…but I have yet to see anyone make a compelling argument as to why high level, well made UAs are something they would never consider.

 

[frenchbreadbuilds]

In my opinion, Nike has done everything it possibly can to show it’s most loyal customers that it doesn’t give a flying funk about them. It’s only allegiance is to the almighty dollar. So this unfettered, almost religious loyalty that some have to “authentic” Jordan brand kicks is somewhat mystifying to me.

If you could be guaranteed that a rep would be virtually identical to an authorized pair in terms of materials, shape, craftsmanship etc., and sold for below retail, you’d rather pay three times over retail for a pair in the aftermarket…simply because it was made in a Nike sweatshop?

Or you could buy a pair that, by some reputable accounts, surpasses any authentic Jordan Brand product, and you wouldn’t do that either. Y‘all who spend so much time complaining about subpar quality, down to every minute detail. All because of some incomprehensible devotion to a company that couldn’t care less in return.

It makes absolutely no sense to me.

I guess we can have a deeper, metaphysical conversation about the true meaning and significance of “authenticity.”

…but I have yet to see anyone make a compelling argument as to why high level, well made UAs are something they would never consider.

Personally, I’m gonna buy it from the primary source if it’s produced by the primary source. For no other reason than it’s gonna grease the wheel to get more things that I want out of the brand. To a lesser extent because it’s there IP and if they’ve got something on the market that’s where my money will go towards. Not to mention whether you’ve got a loyalty to the brand or not, they helped curate my experience coming up through sneakers and that’s still something I value for other people too, even if things are a far cry from what they used to be.

As far as ever considering “UA’s” as a serious option if they were perfect? We’d have to actually live in a world where that’s the case and maybe id dedicate some thought to it. But as someone who’s delved pretty deeply into the legit checking world and has had a lot of hands on experience comparing authentic shoes to the high tier “UA’s” the bar for “good enough to wear and not get called out” and being identical to the real thing are still pretty far apart. Far enough a part that most fake shoes can still be told a apart from the real things when they’re next to eachother, which for me still matters. At the same time though, with how things have gotten on the primary market im not gonna judge someone else for taking the other option. Not something I’d do, but I also know it’s not reasonable to expect everyone to t have the appetite to buy $1500+ shoes on the resell market like I do sometimes.

I’m able to have a different discussion about vibemakerlabs because they haven’t created something that’s competing with a Nike equivalent. As in nothing I’d buy from vibemaker would stop me from buying something released by Nike if I liked it. Traditional reps literally exist just to be a replacement for authentic Nike product.

 

[3thaman]

If you all would spend more wisely a lot of these problems would go away.

 

[frenchbreadbuilds]

If you all would spend more wisely a lot of these problems would go away.

You’re in a forum with folks that only have two feet but have hundreds of pairs of shoes. Might not be in the right place to critique how folks spend their money

 

[Kierris]

The reimagineds are fake compared to these. Idc if nike made them.

Not you too brother

 

[Kierris]

You’re in a forum with folks that only have two feet but have hundreds of pairs of shoes. Might not be in the right place to critique how folks spend their money

You still in your feelings brother? Let the convo die. Rock your reps, no one's judging you mane.

 

[frenchbreadbuilds]

You still in your feelings brother? Let the convo die. Rock your reps, no one's judging you mane.

let me know when you're ready to have some normal, adult, good faith discussion about shoes.

 

[Kierris]

let me know when you're ready to have some normal, adult, good faith discussion about shoes.

I love discussing shoes brother..

















As long as they're authentic

 

[frenchbreadbuilds]

I love discussing shoes brother..

















As long as they're authentic

And yet you seem to have a lot to say about reps today. Go figure.

 

[Davey Magoo]

Personally, I’m gonna buy it from the primary source if it’s produced by the primary source. For no other reason than it’s gonna grease the wheel to get more things that I want out of the brand. To a lesser extent because it’s there IP and if they’ve got something on the market that’s where my money will go towards. Not to mention whether you’ve got a loyalty to the brand or not, they helped curate my experience coming up through sneakers and that’s still something I value for other people too, even if things are a far cry from what they used to be.

As far as ever considering “UA’s” as a serious option if they were perfect? We’d have to actually live in a world where that’s the case and maybe id dedicate some thought to it. But as someone who’s delved pretty deeply into the legit checking world and has had a lot of hands on experience comparing authentic shoes to the high tier “UA’s” the bar for “good enough to wear and not get called out” and being identical to the real thing are still pretty far apart. Far enough a part that most fake shoes can still be told a apart from the real things when they’re next to eachother, which for me still matters. At the same time though, with how things have gotten on the primary market im not gonna judge someone else for taking the other option. Not something I’d do, but I also know it’s not reasonable to expect everyone to t have the appetite to buy $1500+ shoes on the resell market like I do sometimes.

I’m able to have a different discussion about vibemakerlabs because they haven’t created something that’s competing with a Nike equivalent. As in nothing I’d buy from vibemaker would stop me from buying something released by Nike if I liked it. Traditional reps literally exist just to be a replacement for authentic Nike product.

Only reason why I won’t consider UAs is because I know the chances that they’ll be on par with authentic pairs in terms of materials and fit are probably very slim. If I had guarantees about that,I wouldn’t hesitate to buy for below retail on certain releases.

…Nike has it coming imo.

 

[frenchbreadbuilds]

Only reason why I won’t consider UAs is because I know the chances that they’ll be on par with authentic pairs in terms of materials and fit are probably very slim. If I had guarantees about that,I wouldn’t hesitate to buy for below retail on certain releases.

…Nike has it coming imo.

I can understand the sentiment. Personally if it isn’t something novel new and not being made or doesn’t exist I don’t think I’d even consider it.

 

[WASHED KING]

The shoes on my feet make no difference in the quality of my life in any aspect outside of me liking what it looks like when I look down and in the mirror.

I’m not a sneaker reseller, investor, or whatever corny term is used now. I’m a basketball fan who wants to wear iconic basketball shoes that are as close as possible to the original thing. Honestly I don’t even want to be called a sneaker head now.

Whoever gives me that. Gets my money.

 

[Davey Magoo]

 

[spoonmanofthehour]

The shoes on my feet make no difference in the quality of my life in any aspect outside of me liking what it looks like when I look down and in the mirror.

I’m not a sneaker reseller, investor, or whatever corny term is used now. I’m a basketball fan who wants to wear iconic basketball shoes that are as close as possible to the original thing. Honestly I don’t even want to be called a sneaker head now.

Whoever gives me that. Gets my money.

If you’re a basketball fan, who is your all-time NBA starting 5?

 

[j mobile]

Personally, I’m gonna buy it from the primary source if it’s produced by the primary source. For no other reason than it’s gonna grease the wheel to get more things that I want out of the brand. To a lesser extent because it’s there IP and if they’ve got something on the market that’s where my money will go towards. Not to mention whether you’ve got a loyalty to the brand or not, they helped curate my experience coming up through sneakers and that’s still something I value for other people too, even if things are a far cry from what they used to be.

I totally agree with this point here.

I haven’t been through since I dropped that video, but I didn’t think it would turn into a 2-3 day debate. I was just had to share.

Even if hypothetically these were PERFECT, EXACT RE-CREATIONS (save for his labeling on the inside of course), I couldn’t do it. Fake, rep, UA, whatever, has ZERO to do with quality IMO.

But in saying that, I don’t care what others buy, so to each their own, and I would never judge. They do look dope, I just couldn’t. I can also understand why people go the rep route though, as one of the main things I DESPISE within the shoe game is the exclusivity. I’ve been into kicks all of my 36+ years of life, and exclusivity has NEVER been why I love kicks. I don’t care if 1 or 1 billion people have the same pairs as me. I’m a Black guy in a wheelchair, so I don’t need shoes to stand out or to be unique. But when it comes to reps for many, I think it often has very little with the notion that many are buying reps to “fit in” or to “fake” something. Many just like the way a pair looks, and whether it be legit or illegitimate versions, they can get them, and they could give two shts about any ethical or philosophical debates surrounding them.

But again, if people like those, cool. If they don’t, cool. I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it, but I’m not losing an ounce of sleep over people that want to cop them.

 

[charmcitykid]

Not you too brother

Yea, me too. I hate fakes. I hate reps. I hate "UAs." Those in here who know me or seen me post here for so many years know this about me.

Normally, reps, fakes, etc are a way to have the "same" product while avoiding the cost. In these cases the product usually has worse quality, materials, etc.

VibeRemakeLabs is not only unique, but an anomaly bc the time, research, love, care, craftsmanship, quality, attention to detail, etc is FAR superior to the authentic product AND costs more.

Yes, technically these are reps, but I view them more as customs due to all the things I stated in the previous paragraph. Reps in general are literal trash whereas the VRLs are literally high quality art crafted by a master artisan. For these reasons VRLs get a pass from me and, yes, I'd wear them proudly and I'd never try to pass them off as "authentic" even tho, in my eyes, they're more authentic than the garbage we get from nike.

I love what VRL is doing and I definitely want to support him, but I just don't wanna drop $600. I think at $400 it'd be a no brainer.

 

[Kierris]

Yes, technically these are reps, but I view them more as customs

 

[ed_shed]

for me personally, reps just aren't much fun. the enjoyment I get is finding a silhouette & colorway that I like and then scouring the internet for a legit ds pair. most of the times, esp with the dunks, the price is out of reach and I shrug and move on. and I love watching the youtube reviews on the shoes I get not because I think it's gospel being delivered by an expert, but just because I dig hearing dudes talk about sneakers and I often learn things about them and the materials. if its a rep, the videos are basically meaningless because we're talking about two different things. I did want to see what a rep was like in-hand so I copped the dunk what the pauls awhile ago. it really is amazing how close it is. I've watched all of the authentic vs rep videos on them and the only anomaly I find is a miniscule placement variation of the small black swoosh on the maroon panel. other than that, they're very high quality. but... a high quality fake no matter how good it looks and feels. ehh it's fine, now I know what a rep feels like and I can file that away and move on with my hunt for the legits that I like

did not expect to write a novella, apologies

 

[vinnuendo]

On foot today. Pardon me for derailing.

 

[headdetective]

We need to see the whole fit with them socks

 

[staffsgtdignam]

for me personally, reps just aren't much fun. the enjoyment I get is finding a silhouette & colorway that I like and then scouring the internet for a legit ds pair.

The issue is where even getting the model will cost you thousands because they aren’t producing them anymore and you’re stuck buying 37+ year old pairs if you want the real deal.

Nike could easily remedy the situation by making a 1:1 retro of the OG 1s but they choose not to for whatever reason so we get butchered and/or watered down versions for whatever reason.

For the life of me, I don’t understand why they can’t just release a retro that comes close to the OGs-they could easily charge $600+ for it as well. It’s not like Air Yeezy 1 & 2 retros where they would face the wrath of YE if they tried to retro them as “Nike Air Yeezy” retros.

 

[Raji Lowenthal]

The issue is where even getting the model will cost you thousands because they aren’t producing them anymore and you’re stuck buying 37+ year old pairs if you want the real deal.

Nike could easily remedy the situation by making a 1:1 retro of the OG 1s but they choose not to for whatever reason so we get butchered and/or watered down versions for whatever reason.

For the life of me, I don’t understand why they can’t just release a retro that comes close to the OGs-they could easily charge $600+ for it as well.

Easily? In a limited capacity yes but I doubt Nike could GR a 600.00 shoe. Then, if it's limited you're right back to square one.

 

[staffsgtdignam]

Easily? In a limited capacity yes but I doubt Nike could GR a 600.00 shoe. Then, if it's limited you're right back to square one.

I mean $400 in 2015 adjusted for inflation is appx $500 today, so I think they could do it. Given some of the past 1s they sold-especially considering they’ve never given us craftsmanship and materials like those 1985 reps:

 

[frenchbreadbuilds]

Easily? In a limited capacity yes but I doubt Nike could GR a 600.00 shoe. Then, if it's limited you're right back to square one.

nike needs to open up preorders for stuff like that. set a minimum quantity threshold. set a price. and let it be made to order. not very different from the nike ID/nike by you model. if theres one thing Id gladly pay more money for its a no BS release process. no queues or splash pages, no raffles. no draws or shock drops. Im already paying a premium on resell, and im already and ive gladly paid $500+ on shoes like the just don 2s. make it available and folks will buy

 

[Raji Lowenthal]

I mean $400 in 2015 adjusted for inflation is appx $500 today, so I think they could do it. Given some of the past 1s they sold-especially considering they’ve never given us craftsmanship and materials like those 1985 reps:

Nobody is buying those regularly at that price.