I’m Probably Selling a Kidney for the Undefeated x Nike Zoom Spiridon Pack
Alright sneakerheads, gather ’round. I’ve just crawled out of my weekend sneaker research rabbit hole (yes, that’s what I call staying up until 3 AM scrolling through release calendars while my wife pretends to be asleep), and I’m buzzing about the Undefeated x Nike Zoom Spiridon pack that’s dropping this week.
You know how some collaborations just make you feel things? This is definitely one of those for me. I still remember rocking my first pair of Spiridons back in the early 2000s, feeling like I was floating on clouds with that responsive Zoom Air cushioning. My college roommate used to make fun of how I’d clean them with a toothbrush every Sunday night. Whatever, Dave. Those shoes outlasted our friendship.
The “Thunder Blue” Teaser That Nearly Broke Me
Let’s talk about that “Thunder Blue” version that Undefeated sneakily released earlier this year. Limited to just 1,000 pairs worldwide? Come on! That’s just mean. I actually set three alarms and convinced my brother-in-law to try scoring a pair from the West Coast while I tried from the East. Neither of us succeeded, and we haven’t spoken about it since. Family gatherings have been a bit awkward, not gonna lie.
The exclusivity of that release – only available at select Undefeated stores – felt like being invited to a party where the address keeps changing. I’m still recovering from the L on that release, and my wallet is thankful, but my collection feels incomplete.
The New Kids on the Block: “Phantom” and “Cargo Khaki”
But now we’ve got two more chances at redemption with the “Phantom” and “Cargo Khaki” colorways dropping this Spring. The sneaker gods are giving us another shot, and I’m not throwing away my… shot. (Sorry, had a Hamilton moment there.)
The “Phantom” version is honestly what my sneaker dreams are made of. Those light cream and olive tones remind me of that perfect cappuccino I had in Portland last summer – smooth, sophisticated, and just the right amount of earthy. I can already envision how they’ll look with my favorite worn-in jeans and that olive field jacket my wife keeps threatening to “accidentally” donate.
Then there’s the “Cargo Khaki” with its black upper, khaki accents, and that tiny pop of orange on the mini Swoosh. It’s like that one friend who dresses super low-key but always has one unexpected detail that makes you go, “Wait, that’s actually really cool.” I’ve already started planning outfits around these, which my wife says is “concerningly premature” given I don’t even own them yet.
The $160 Question
Word on the street is that both pairs will retail for around $160. Is that cheap? No. Is it going to stop me? Also no. I’ve literally been putting aside coffee money for weeks. That’s five weeks of making mediocre coffee at home instead of my usual morning stop at the local café where Marissa knows my order before I even open the door. (Miss you, Marissa!)
The good news is that these releases will be more widely available than the “Thunder Blue” edition. The bad news is that “more widely available” in hypebeast language still means “prepare for disappointment.” I’ve already warned my team that I might be “having internet issues” during the morning of the drop. They know what that means by now.
Why This Collab Matters
There’s something special about Undefeated’s approach to collaborations. They respect the heritage while adding just enough edge to make it contemporary. The Spiridon is such an underrated silhouette in Nike’s lineup – it doesn’t get the love that Air Max or Dunks receive, but true sneakerheads know it’s a gem.
I still remember wearing my original Spiridons to a sneaker meetup in 2013 and having three separate people ask to take photos of them. One guy even offered to buy them off my feet! I walked home in socks that day with an extra $200 in my pocket. Sometimes I regret that decision, especially now that the silhouette is making this glorious comeback.
The Release Day Game Plan
So here’s my strategy: laptop, phone, and tablet all queued up. I’ve cleared my cache more times than I’ve cleared my actual desk this year. I’ve got auto-fill ready to go, and I’ve been practicing my checkout speed like I’m training for the Olympics.
Will I succeed? The magic 8-ball on my desk says “outlook not so good,” but I’ve beaten the odds before. That time I scored the Off-White Prestos while in the middle of a work presentation still feels like my greatest professional achievement (sorry, boss, if you’re reading this).
Whether you’re going for these beauties or just enjoying watching the rest of us struggle, I wish you luck. And remember – it’s just shoes… is what people who don’t get it always say. For the rest of us, it’s the thrill of the chase and the sweet, sweet victory of unboxing something special.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go set up about 17 more reminder alarms on my phone.
