Nike and Kallmeyer Turned a Tennis Shoe Into an Everyday Essential
There’s a certain type of sneaker that looks like it should come with a tennis racket. Low to the ground and quietly retro. Nike and Kallmeyer’s Tennis Centre is very much that shoe, with a few tricks of its own.
It’s the first shoe the two have made together, and it feels like a pretty natural pairing.
Kallmeyer has taken the familiar tennis sneaker and made it feel a little more grown up. The Travertine suede gives the whole thing a soft, earthy finish, while the antique brass details stop it from looking too pristine, ‘cause nobody wants that. It’s understated, but there’s enough going on to notice it.
The best part might be the laces. You get the usual cotton pair, plus a rounded leather option that makes the same sneaker feel surprisingly different. The latter has a slightly more polished feel, which is useful when you’re trying to convince yourself that sneakers count as dressing up.
And despite all the fashion “stuff” happening here, it hasn’t forgotten where it came from. The low profile and court-inspired construction keep it firmly in tennis territory, while the suede pouch feels like a very Kallmeyer addition.
Consider this your excuse to take tennis shoes somewhere other than the court. The best of them already are.
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