adidas' Spezial (SPZL) line, helmed by Gary Aspden, has been a beacon for fans of the brand's rich heritage, reimagining classic designs for the contemporary scene. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, SPZL has been diving into the archives to revive and tweak beloved silhouettes. Kicking off the anniversary celebrations with the Pre-Spring 2024 collection, the line continues with the DECADE Pack. This pack revisits and updates four iconic models: the Blackburn SPZL, Garwen SPZL, Ardwick SPZL, and Lacombe SPZL, each embodying the spirit of the original designs with thoughtful enhancements.
The Blackburn SPZL DECADE version draws inspiration from the 2019 Blackburn SPZL and the Ewood edition, combining elements to create a fresh yet familiar look. The upper features green, red, and navy hues, with the tongue color changed from green to navy, and the cotton laces swapped for synthetic ones. The Three Stripes are revised in flock, and a gold foil print is added below the collar, with the right foot showcasing the SPZL Mod Trefoil print and the left foot featuring a rose symbol representing Lancashire. The sock liner includes the town's motto, ARTE ET LABORE.
The Garwen SPZL, another favorite, is revisited with a new colorway and a mix of suede and leather materials. The perforated toe box is the most noticeable change, along with branding updates like the metal Trefoil and printed deboss on the leather branding "flag" and the leather patch branding on the tongue. These updates maintain the silhouette's leisure shoe essence while offering a modern twist.
The Ardwick SPZL returns with significant revisions to differentiate it from the ultra-limited original, which only had 500 pairs produced. The foxing is changed to chocolate brown, moving away from the green/black colorway replicated by other adidas departments. The tongue branding complements the vintage adidas California inspiration, and the Three Stripes use flocking. Synthetic laces replace the original cotton ones, and the toe box overlay has been reworked. With its natural dye fluctuations, the branding on the sock liner and the reversed leather upper, subtly individualize each pair.
Finally, the Lacombe SPZL is inspired by a rare archival court shoe designed for tennis player John Newcombe, originally introduced to the SPZL line in 2016. The DECADE Pack version revisits this classic with several key updates that enhance its aesthetic and functionality. This version uses a much softer and premium leather compared to the original Newcombe, ensuring a more luxurious feel and better durability.
Unlike its original glossy finish, the branding patches on the tongue and heel now feature a matte navy blue leather, providing a refined and understated look. A notable addition to this edition is the breathable mesh tongue, a feature synonymous with vintage tennis shoes, which enhances comfort and ventilation. The tooling has also been adjusted to include an inset piece that wraps around the front of the shoe, reminiscent of the vintage Grand Slam tennis shoes.
The adidas SPZL DECADE Pack will release May 24, 2024, through adidas Confirmed and select retailers online and in-store. Coming in men’s sizing, the retail price ranges between $120 and $140. Keep it locked to the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via adidas/Gary Aspden
adidas Blackburn SPZL DECADE Pack
adidas Garwen SPZL DECADE Pack
adidas Ardwick SPZL DECADE Pack
adidas Lacombe SPZL DECADE PACK
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Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
