Needles' history of adding its signature papillon (butterfly) logo to Reebok’s Beatnik sandal goes way back.
When Reebok decided to resurrect its ‘90s hiking sandal from the archives six years ago, Needles was quick to create a version, releasing a shoe responsible for much of the attention the Beatnik has gotten since.
And from then on, it released several more iterations, each keeping to the same formula: there are only two color options, either black or beige, and each one is decorated with its embroidered butterfly branding.
For its newest release, you won’t be surprised to hear that Reebok and Needles have once again stuck to their winning formula (if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right?). However, there is one big difference with this shoe.
Shop Reebok x Needles Here
At first glance, I thought the latest Reebok x Needles Beatnik sandal was a re-release of the one the two brands made with BEAMS in 2018. Until I looked again, and noticed it had been turned into a mule.
The new release sees the shoe freed from the strap that once ran along its heel and turns it backless. It’s been mule-ified.
The shoes have, according to the product description on Reebok’s website, “a low-key bohemian look,” and this is only accentuated by the Needles garbs that they are styled with in the campaign for this release: tie-dye pants, ankle-length skirts, and frilly patterned shirting. It’s all a bit hippie-coded, so to speak, but that's probably to be expected from a shoe named Beatnik.
The latest chapter in Needles and Reebok’s longstanding relationship releases worldwide on May 25 at select retailers including the Highsnobiety Shop for $120.
At a time when there’s no shortage of new hiking clogs and trail-ready mules hitting the market, Reebok’s ‘90s hiking sandal reminds us that it’s one of the OGs.
