A star-studded throwback: Saucony’s Snow Beach sneakers

For Saucony, it seems as though throwback is a Friday event, not Thursday. The shoe company released their Saucony Grid 9000 ‘Snow Beach’ shoe today. The shoe is inspired by the iconic Polo Snow Beach parka designed by Ralph Lauren, worn by American rapper, Raekwon, member of the Wu-Tang Clan, during the video for “Can It Be All So Simple.”

Polo apparel was present throughout hip-hop culture prior to Raekwon’s style statement, yet that jacket surpassed other items in terms of effect. It is almost impossible to find a Snow Beach parka nowadays, as the jackets have become a coveted collectors item.

Packer Shoes, a store located in Teaneck, N.J., has a reputation of collaborations with corporations to create shoes with a cultural reference and the Snow Beach sneaks are in tune with that reputation. The colourway of navy, red and yellow of the shoes matches that of the jacket. The laces were designed to imitate the parka’s drawstring. The font of the “9000” insignia located on the heel of the shoe is similar to the Polo logo. The inside of the shoe even features the jacket’s polar fleece lining.

American hip hop producer Just Blaze became involved with the project and this video showcasing the shoes was born.