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The Fjell Running series (’88-’89) and related shoes — a brief history from David Foster
I was extremely happy to see David Foster post up some of his memories of one of the last Reebok shoes handmade in Bolton, UK. Even happier as the Fjell series – particularly for their matching colourways and innovative tech – are some of my all-time favourite Retroboks – alongside some other personal favourites such as the PB and World Best.
It was a bittersweet time for Reebok as a company, as the transition to it becoming a completely USA-based was by then nearly complete. Hit the jump to read Davids’ annotations on the Fjells and a range of related shoes, back in the late 1980’s. Retrobok hopes to garner more from Davids’ memory in time.
With thanks to Stephen at Reebok Shoe Archive for some of the images below. —BokOne
PB OG — Detailed photos
Continuing this series showcasing these sweet, sweet photos from eBay user eBay jerico_st.adrian are one of the holy grail of Retroboks ; the 1987 PB. Designed by Reebok USA these run a Red-White-Blue colourway, pack a Nappa Pigskin and Nylon upper, brazen red flashes on the toe box and that unique red sash down the back of each heel counter (reminiscent of bowling shoes, as I’m sure most of you will agree). For anyone wondering about PB, it means ‘Personal Best’ — a runners own fastest time.
The laces also have an alternating plastic ghillie loops which not often seen on 80’s Reebok runners; they were however featured on mid-to-early 80’s Reeboks such as the GL 1600, LC 1500, LC 1600, LC 3000 and CL 1500.
The outsole pattern is — I believe — unique to the PB, and the PB only. There is a prominent Goodyear debossed logo in the middle of the sole, and that large Starcrest & Reebok logo adjacent.
As I’m sure you’ll agree, the PB was one — if not THE — finest looking runners from Reebok in the 1980’s (and since) and is sorely deserving a solid retro to prove Reeboks’ ability to create superb technical runners.
…Reebok Classics I’m looking squarely at you now 🙂 —BokOne
Hit the jump for more images! Read the rest of this entry
80’s Reeboks
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Please visit the RETROBOK SHOE ARCHIVE V2.0
1980
Victory G
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1981
Victory XL (1981-82)
Shadow I (1981-83) $17.99 RRP
Shadow III (Womens) – (1981-83) £16.99 RRP
Cougar ’81
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1982
Freestyle (Womens)
VTS (3 colourways)
DHS (Throwing Shoe – TBC)
Wild Country
Britannia (Kids)
VTS Kids (2 colourways)
Orchid – Womens
Carolina – Womens
Aztec II (aka AZ II)
Invincible
Hurricane (2 colourways)
Spitfire (3 colourways)
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1983
Ex-O-Fit
Freestyle Hi (Womens)
Princess (Womens)
Reebok Classic
Reebok Classic Leather
NPC II (Newport Classic) – Year TBC
Aztec II
London Runner
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1984
Ex-O-Fit Hi
Victory GTI – featured ‘Foster Cradle’, Gore-tex™ technology, and speed lock lacing system.
LC 1500
LC 3000 (Womens)
CL 1500
Sydney Maree (handmade by David Foster source)
The Sydney Maree was a special make up of the Mens LC
Sydney Maree Spike
Phase I Tennis Shoe [ Leather / Leather and Nylon ]
Paris Runner
Paris Racer (name and year TBC)
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1985
Workout
Workout Mid-Cut
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1986
LC ‘Mk II’ 1600
Phase I
Phase I (Womens)
ACT 600 Tennis Shoe
BB4600
BB5600
BB6600
BB7600 ‘Alien Stomper’ (aka Aliens Fighter Shoe)
Phase II
Phase II Womens
GL 6000 – 1986
GL 6000 (Womens)
LX 8500
Rapide
Royale
PB 800 Spikes
GL1600 (Date TBC)
GL1600 Womens (Date TBC)
Workout Plus
B4000 (Womens) (DATE TBC)
Image c/o DefyNewYork
CL1000 (Year TBC)
CL1400 (Year TBC)
DL1400 aka Reebok Response (Year TBC)
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1987
DL 5000 – Year TBC
DL 5600 (Mens and Womens) – Year TBC
DL 6000 – Year TBC
GL6100
PB (Designed by Reebok USA)
PB Gold (Year TBC)
World Best
Fell Runner – 1987 (TBC)
Wild Runner Two – Advert
Victoria Womens Tennis
Image c/o DefyNewYork
Axis Tennis
Image c/o DefyNewYork
Avenger (Year TBC)
Image c/o DefyNewYork
Club C (Year TBC) – reissues shown
ProWorkout™
Image c/o DefyNewYork
RAD (‘Reebok Advanced Design’) – 1987
Skateboard/BMX
CL Aztec (Year TBC)
S600
Image c/o DefyNewYork
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1988
World Trainer (the first Reebok with E.R.S.™)
Featured ERS technology in both the heel and forefoot.
E.R.S. Trainer
World Road
Featured ERS technology in the heel only.
World Road (Womens)
Featured ERS technology in the heel only.
Club Fitness
Energizer
Mid-cut Court
Rugged Walker (Mens)
Rugged Walker (Womens)
CXT
Image c/o DefyNewYork
CXT Mid (ERS)
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1989
The Pump®
Without a doubt Reeboks’ most important shoe, securing critical and sales success – as well as being legendary in both Popular and Sneaker culture.
AXT
Image c/o DefyNewYork
AXT Plus (year TBC)
SXT Cross Trainer (ERS)
Image c/o DefyNewYork
Commitment Mid
