PRO-Keds Royal Cordura Hi’s & Lo’s

March 30, 2016

Pro Keds Royal Hi and Lo Cordura GROUP 01 800pix

Taking the cover spot on Sneaker Freaker’s latest issue and proclaimed by NY sneaker historian Bobbito Garcia as ‘the first classic sneaker of New Yorkers on and off the court.’ PRO-Keds basketball and place in sneaker history is undeniable and these new Royal Cordura Hi’s & Lo releases go some way to showing why that is.

For the whole history go read the excellent Sneaker Freaker article but here’s a very brief and condensed version. In 1916 the U.S. Rubber Company created Keds, a nothing fancy utilitarian sneaker brand that made standard canvas shoes for all. In 1949 PRO-Keds was established to provide for the burgeoning Basketball market and the Royal was born. The Royal graced the feet of Basketball’s first “giant” George Mikan who, averaging more than 22 points over his nine-year career and leading the Minneapolis Lakers to five titles in six seasons from 1949-54, was dubbed the “Babe Ruth of Basketball” by New York Knicks coach Joe Lapchick.

This was just the start of PRO-Keds Basketball connection and they remained a mainstay all the way through to around 1984 when the brand went on a brief hiatus. After a revival in Japan around the 90’s it wasn’t until the mid 2000’s that PRO-Keds were back on the radar thanks to the serious sneaker collectors and collaborators like Biz Markie, Stussy, Neighborhood, Faile and Patta.

This latest Royal release comes via an enhanced last and has a moulded footbed with modern foam for a refined fit and feel. They come in a trio of super clean monochrome colourways: black, white and grey with even the normally colourful PRO-Ked logo getting the monochrome treatment.

Pro Keds Royal Lo Cordura 01 800pix