Footpatrol come together with Reebok Classic to celebrate 25 years of the Ventilator, creating this ‘Hotstepper’ rendition.

Taking direct inspiration from the era that the Ventilator hails from, Footpatrol have looked back to early ’90s fitness and remembered the craze for the Reebok Step. This collab is all about those leisure centre vibes. A time before swanky gyms and fitness clubs. We all remember our own particular leisure centre from childhood, I can even remember the smell of it, that slight chlorine musk no matter how far away you were from the swimming pool.

I digress. This collab pulls inspiration from those golden years of average communal fitness, using a white terry towel upper as a direct nod to the number 1 leisure centre accessory, with amazing hits of Porcelain and Crystal Blue on the leathers. Reebok branding on the lateral panel has a reversed ‘R’ while the whole word is backwards on the medial panel, why, I’m not sure. The other fun detail, which has more obvious relevance, is the semi-detached tongue tab, referencing the informative label found at the bottom of aforementioned towels.

The shoes come with a tweaked aerobics inspired Footpatrol Gasmask rubber swing-tag, as well as 3 sets of rope laces, which don’t usually feature on a Ventilator.

As if the colourway wasn’t amazing enough on its own, the nostalgia it conjures up is priceless. Props to Footpatrol, this is one of my favourites from Team FP so far.

The Footpatrol x Reebok Classic Ventilator ‘Hotstepper’ drops on Saturday 23rd May (UK4–UK13 including half sizes) at Footpatrol for £110.

• About the Author

Alex Synamatix

One of three co-founders at THE DAILY STREET, Alex is our Editor-in-Chief, overseeing all TDS activity. Outside of TDS, Alex is a respected creative in his own right, from art directing club nights (comm•une) to consulting for some of the largest global brands.