While big sneakers (especially in basketball) have always been around, it wasn’t until the last five years or so that they started seeing exposure similar to what they received in the late nineties and early Aughts. This time period was one of the golden eras of basketball in terms of skill and style, and the latest Y2K fashion trend borrows heavily from the flashy, chunky, and futuristic flair that defined the era. Kobe Bryant also defined this era and many other key moments in basketball history, and he was no stranger to fashion either. Much like his contemporaries, Kobe was making his own custom sneakers, and one of his first signature pairs with adidas (and probably the most controversial) came out in 2000, the futuristic and bulky Crazy 1. They were relaunched in 2014 and then again in 2022, and now adidas and Packer have collaborated on the Crazy Infinity “Chalk” shoes, which are directly inspired by the original Crazy 1s.
The original design was inspired by the Audi TT Roadster and an incredibly futuristic silhouette, made evident by how popular chunky and big shoes are right now. And it’s been nine years since the original design has been significantly revamped, which Packer and adidas aim to do with the Crazy Infinity. The outsole is blended into the upper part of the shoe (and covers what looks to be about 75% of it), giving it a unique construction style, and a zipped shroud over the laces adds to the sleek and streamlined look.
These shoes will only be available through Packer in the “Chalk” colorway as it currently stands.
The adidas Crazy Infinity “Chalk” sneakers will be going live tomorrow, July 19th, on Packer’s site (and in the label’s Teaneck & Jersey locations) at 8 am PST for $160.
