Reebok’s Unexpected Golf Comeback Has Me All Nostalgic
Remember when your dad had those iconic Reebok Classics in the 90s? Mine sure did. White leather, simple design, possibly the most dad shoe to ever dad. I never imagined back then that decades later, I’d be writing about Reebok making waves in… golf, of all places. Yet here we are, and I’m honestly kind of excited about it.
Last week, I was scrolling through my feed with my morning coffee (spilled some on my keyboard, as is tradition) when I spotted the news: Reebok is swinging back into the golf scene in a major way. My first thought? “Wait, Reebok was in golf before?” Turns out they were, but that was before my time following the sport.
The Nano Goes Golf
The headline-grabber here is definitely the Nano Golf shoe, which is slated to hit stores in March 2025. If you’ve ever stepped foot in a gym in the last decade, you probably know the Nano as Reebok’s CrossFit shoe. It’s the one your super-fit friend won’t stop talking about during brunch while you’re on your third mimosa (no judgment here).
Taking the Nano and adapting it for the fairways is pretty clever when you think about it. Golf requires stability, comfort for walking miles, and a solid base for your swing. The Nano already nails most of those requirements for gym-goers. I tried on a pair of regular Nanos at a store last year, and even though I have zero intention of doing CrossFit (who has the time?), the comfort was undeniable.
Basketball Meets Golf? Yep, That’s Happening
Here’s where things get really interesting. Reebok is also bringing Allen Iverson’s Question Low to the golf course. Let that sink in. A basketball shoe… for golf. My brain needed a minute to process this, but the more I think about it, the more I’m intrigued.
I grew up watching Iverson crossover defenders with ridiculous ease in those shoes. The thought of seeing them reimagined with cleats for driving and putting feels like some bizarre sports multiverse. But I’m here for it. It’s the kind of weird mashup that somehow makes perfect sense in our nostalgia-obsessed world.
The DeChambeau Factor
Bringing Bryson DeChambeau on board as the face of this comeback is a smart move. Love him or roll your eyes at him (I’ve done both, often in the same tournament), Bryson has become golf’s most interesting character. The scientist-golfer with his single-length irons and protein shakes seemed like a novelty at first, but the guy has proven he’s the real deal.
I watched him at a tournament last summer – the way he approached each shot with that analytical focus was actually pretty mesmerizing. My friend kept nudging me saying, “That dude’s from another planet.” Now imagining him in Reebok gear instead of the typical golf brands feels right somehow. Both are challenging conventions in their own way.
Why This Matters (Even If You Don’t Golf)
Fashion cycles are weird, aren’t they? I recently found myself eyeing a windbreaker that looked suspiciously like one I begged my mom not to make me wear to school in 1993. Brands from the 80s and 90s are experiencing major revivals, and Reebok’s timing couldn’t be better.
Golf itself is in the middle of a transformation. The stuffy, exclusive sport I avoided for years has been attracting younger, more diverse players. Courses are relaxing dress codes. Music on the course isn’t taboo anymore. Heck, I played a round last month wearing joggers, and nobody called the fashion police.
Reebok jumping back into golf now, with designs that bridge athletic heritage and golf functionality, just makes sense. It’s not your grandfather’s golf anymore, so why should the gear be?
Final Thoughts
Will Reebok’s golf comeback work? I haven’t the foggiest idea. The golf apparel market is crowded with established brands and newcomers alike. But there’s something appealing about their approach – taking iconic designs we already know and love, then adapting them for the links.
I’m particularly curious to try the Nano Golf shoes when they drop next year. My current golf shoes are functional but boring as watching paint dry. The idea of something with a bit more personality, and potentially more comfort from Reebok’s fitness DNA, is definitely appealing.
So here’s to unexpected comebacks and weird sport crossovers. If nothing else, it gives us something new to talk about at the 19th hole. And if you see me on the course next spring potentially rocking some Reeboks, just know that I was way ahead of the trend. Or at least that’s what I’ll tell myself.
