If you've ever been to Glasgow, you'll know the Duke of Wellington never goes anywhere without his hat. And by hat, we mean a bright orange traffic cone.
Now Nike has turned that very Glaswegian tradition into a trainer. Meet the Nike Air Max Plus 'Glasgow' in Black/Safety Orange, a TN packed with nods to the city, its nightlife and, yes, that cone.
A Closer Look at the Nike Air Max Plus 'Glasgow'...
Wait, Why Is There a Cone on the Duke's Head?
Outside the Gallery of Modern Art in Royal Exchange Square stands an equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington. For decades, Glaswegians have made a habit of popping a traffic cone on top of his head. It's been taken down countless times, and it always seems to come back.
Over the years, the coned-up Duke has become something of an unofficial symbol of the city's humour, showing up on postcards, prints and souvenirs. So when Nike went looking for a Glasgow reference, it's no surprise the cone made the cut.
Orange, But Make It a Gradient
The base is classic Air Max Plus: breathable mesh underneath, with those famous radiating lines running across the upper. Here, the black build gets a Safety Orange gradient that glows through from underneath, a nod to the cone's high-vis orange as well as the city's late-night club lights.
The finish is mostly black, from the cage and midsole to the outsole, so the orange really pops. On the heel, the classic yellow Tn badge adds one extra splash of colour.
The Details Are Where It Gets Fun
This is where Nike really leans into the Glasgow theme:
On the tongue: "Glasgow" is embroidered down the centre, so there's no confusion about where this pair belongs.
Behind the tongue: an orange embroidered traffic cone, complete with a Swoosh and AIR branding. You'll only spot it when the shoe's off your foot, which makes it even better.
On the heel: the Tuned Air units are stamped with "Mad Wae It", Scottish slang for being well and truly out of it on a big night out.
Put together, it's a pretty clear nod to Glasgow's famous rave and electronic music scene. Late nights, loud music and a cone on top.
Why the TN, Though?
Honestly? It couldn't really be anything else. Since landing in 1998, the Air Max Plus, or simply "TNs", has become one of the most loved trainers in the UK, and Scotland is no exception. Its wavy lines and Tuned Air soles have been a staple on British streets for well over two decades.
It's also not the first time Nike has used the TN to celebrate a city. Remember the Air Max Plus 'Napoli'? This one feels a lot more cheeky, though.
How about the Drop Date?
Nike hasn't locked in an official release date yet, but the Nike Air Max Plus 'Glasgow' (IX7920-001) is expected to drop soon via Nike UK. It's expected to retail for £174.99.
We'll update this as soon as we know more. In the meantime, keep an eye on our release calendar.
IMAGE CREDITS: Nike
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