The adidas Samba‘s reign as shoe king shows no signs of ending. However, a potential challenger has emerged from the Nike camp. The Nike Killshot 2 Premium, a recent leak suggests, may be the brand’s boldest attempt yet to challenge the Samba’s dominance.
While the model itself is a familiar face in Nike’s retro lineup, new images offer a compelling twist. Clad in a classic black and white colorway and grounded by a dark brown gum sole unit, the sneaker bears a striking resemblance to the iconic adidas Samba.
But the similarities don’t end there. The Killshot 2 Premium features a removable fold-over tongue patch, a design cue strongly reminiscent of Wales Bonner’s acclaimed Samba collaborations. This unexpected detail transforms the classic tennis shoe into a potential style icon.
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Nike has a history of resurrecting forgotten gems. The original Killshot, a ’70s court shoe, enjoyed a resurgence in the 2010s thanks to a partnership with J.Crew. The brand has also brought back other vintage styles like the Astro Grabber and Field General. Whether the Killshot 2 Premium will follow suit remains to be seen.
Slated for a holiday ’24 release, exclusively overseas, this premium version of the Killshot 2 is undoubtedly a gamble. But given the Samba’s enduring popularity, it’s a calculated risk.
© Images: Nike/@EldenMonitors
