Nike Closes the Book on a Highly Contentious Shoe with What May Be Its Most Divisive Edition Yet

While it may seem redundant to say, Nike has offered a tremendous number of signature basketball sneakers over the years, which began, of course, with the iconic Air Jordan 1.

For better or worse (depending on your taste), Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker’s inaugural sneaker has been one of the Swoosh’s most significant releases over the last few years. It even received a relatively recent Cortez-inspired redux that Forrest Gump would have likely loved.

However, that sneaker is officially on its way out. To conclude this chapter, the brand has unveiled the final version of the shoe. Called the Nike Book 1 ‘Torched,’ this last launch is unlikely to shake the divisive allegations.

Nike

An ode to torching defenders

As mentioned, the Book 1 has been a relatively divisive sneaker (primarily because of issues with availability, but there are also stylistic detractors). For what it’s worth, I’m among its fans; I appreciate its retro-inspired silhouette, and among its 30 iterations, I’ve generally liked the offered colorways.

Having said that, I was initially torn on this particular edition. They resemble a marshmallow being burnt over a campfire, complete with a caramel-to-black gradient on the “torched” parts of the shoe. However, there are some legitimate stylistic reasons behind this design, which serve to elevate it.

Nike

For starters, according to Nike, they’re meant to evoke Booker’s proclivity for “torching” defenders on the court. And since these are the final edition of Booker’s inaugural shoe, they’re also intended to express rebirth and renewal — kind of like a phoenix (the mythical bird after which his team’s city is named).

It’s also difficult not to draw a connection between the shoe’s name and the concept of book burning, although this seems likely unintentional, considering the negative association. Whatever the case, it’s clear that this design, as divisive as it will likely be, was crafted with intention and more depth than one might expect from a basketball sneaker.

Nike

Buzzer beaters

Beyond the colorway, some other interesting elements of this shoe stand out even among its peers. Perhaps most notably, the upper material is somewhat unusual.

The Book 1 has, since its initial launch, been a platform for mixed materials. Some versions feature leather, while others sport reflective mesh or even twill.

While Nike hasn’t made it clear, this version appears to be crafted entirely from canvas — evidenced by the rough edges beyond the stitching and distressed elements on the toe. (That does likely mean this sneaker is not water-resistant at all, so keep that in mind if you’re interested in grabbing a pair.)

Nike

Fans of the original shoe will be happy to know that the Air Zoom cushioning, top-loaded midfoot strong plastic plate and sidewall cage all likely remain intact, maintaining the sneaker’s performance aspects.

It’s hard to say what comes next for Booker and Nike, but it’s probably safe to say that this isn’t the end of their partnership.

Nike

Coming soon

The Nike Book 1 ‘Torched’ sneakers are set to drop on the brand’s site on December 30 for $155 per pair.

Nike

Nike Book 1 ‘Torched’

• $155 at Nike

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

Related Topics