Nike React Element 87 review

Who should buy the Nike React Element 87

The Nike React Element 87 is a solid candidate if:

• A sneaker that offers a pleasant underfoot experience with its squishy foot cradle is what you prefer.
• You are after a well-ventilated shoe to keep your feet fresh and cool.
• A pair of kicks that would not burden your feet with its weight is what you need. 

Who should not buy the Nike React Element 87

The React Element 87 may not be ideal for wearers with a busy lifestyle as the shoe needs to be cleaned frequently. The Nike LeBron 7QS Media Day GS Court Purple White Amarillo DA3203-500 might fit the bill. Also, folks looking for a sneaker that has a nice heel hold may have to look elsewhere. They might want to have a look at the DOVER STREET MARKET × NIKE AIR FORCE 1.

Wmns nike dunk low se silver gold metallic sneakers shoes dh4403-700 womens 9

Thanks to its cozy footbed, many reviewers say that it is one of the most comfortable sneakers released in 2018. Also, numerous wearers appreciate and have heaped praises on the removable cork-lined insoles for helping improve the shoe’s in-shoe feel.

Plush and comfy midsole

Using Nike’s most comfortable midsole foam material to date, the women’s and men’s Nike React Element 87 further elevated the sneaker game by introducing an experimental tweak to the already sophisticated Nike React sole. The React Midsole cushioning has drilled holes and rubber rivets achieving better stability, while rubber traction was also placed in the right areas for added durability.

Moreover, some followers of the React shoes claimed the React Element 87 has “the most stable, soft, and relaxed cushioning” they ever felt from Nike React sneakers. Others even reported that the improved React soles of the Nike pair are as comfortable as Adidas’ Boost sneakers.

Light and breathable

Wearers were impressed by the lightweight feel of the sneaker while some were quite surprised by the breathability of the translucent plastic-like uppers. This TPE or Thermoplastic Elastomeric upper material with exposed taping and components also add a new dimension to the design as it allows users to show off their socks and display a more modern style.

A glamorous design

The excitement was felt by the sneaker community once the buzz of the Nike React Element 87’s release started appearing on their online newsfeeds. Nike’s most stylish sneaker featuring the proprietary React foam midsole for 2018 was first previewed in Jun Takahashi of retail brand Undercover’s runway show in several colorways that by the time the shoe got released, it got sold out almost immediately. Another positive feature of the translucent upper is the Nike React Element 87’s ability to also give a spotlight on the socks you wear. Pair these kicks with vibrantly colored crew socks, neon no-show socks, and graphics-printed ankle socks for a footwear color pop.

How to style the Nike React Element 87

Wearing and styling the Nike React Element 87 with your wardrobe is uncomplicated. The futuristic style, deconstructed flair, and stylish elements included in the overall sneaker design make this shoe shine no matter what clothes you wear.  Men and women may opt to go for the athleisure route and style the low-top kicks with track pants, joggers, and relaxed fit tees and tanks.

With all these being said, this new lifestyle silhouette from Nike was described by various sneakerheads as "straight-up fire" and an "instant cop." Also, some reviews praised the translucent uppers to rock and glam up their sneaker fashion while a lot of positive reviews focused on how beautifully crafted and designed the Nike React Element 87 sneaker is. 

Colorways of Nike React Element 87

The first general release drops of the Nike React Element 87 in June (Europe, Latin America, and Asia) and July (the United States and Canada) 2018 include the favorite sail/light bone and anthracite/black colorways. While the anthracite/black-White colorway looks promising and versatile at the onset, the sail or sail/light bone/white/rush orange/black colorway of the Nike React Element 87 was one of the most sought-after with resellers jacking up prices for the Sail color a bit higher than the latter.

Other colorways released a few months after the initial drop include desert sand and dark grey. For the much anticipated UNDERCOVER x Nike React Element 87 collaboration which was released on September 29, 2018, the design was executed in a medley of colors. The colorways featured in partnership with the Japanese streetwear brand include the light beige and green mist colorways. Several other colorways were also hinted to be unveiled in time for fall 2019.

Nike React Element 87 History

React foam technology in Nike shoes started in 2017 when it was used in basketball shoes like the Nike React Hyperdunk 2017 and the Jordan Superfly 2017. React foam was first used in basketball footwear due to its high energy retention capability which is needed to make swift movements including jumping. Soon, aside from basketball, running shoes like the Nike Epic React were released and several other footwear utilizing the React foam which is better and softer than Lunarlon and, believe it or not, 30 percent lighter than rival Adidas’ popular and bestselling Boost technology. React foam according to Nike Cortezers also quickly spring back to shape after undergoing pressure and minimizing energy loss. It is also Nike’s long-lasting foam midsole material to date.

The Nike React Element 87 was first seen not in Nike stores but in the Autumn/Winter 2018 show of Japanese cult streetwear label UNDERCOVER’s fashion show in Paris in March 2018. The longtime collaborator of Nike led by its founder Jun Takahashi was the first to showcase their take on the iconic React foam sneaker in several colorways which were only released through the UNDERCOVER x Nike React Element 87 in September 2018.

The cutting-edge design of the Nike React Element 87 was dropped for general release only in June 2018 for Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and the US and Canada release in July 2018. Designed as a lifestyle running sneaker, the Nike React Element 87 resembles the silhouette of the Nike Internationalist and involves modern aesthetics like a translucent upper, exposed stitching, and a tweaked React midsole.

The low-top sneaker in its initial drop featured the more popular Sail or Sail/Light Bone/White/Rush Orange/Black colorway and the Anthracite/Black-White colorway. Soon other colorways were released like the Desert Sand and Dark Grey colorways. The UNDERCOVER x Nike React Element 87 colorways, featured earlier in the Paris runway show, include the two general release colorways such as the light beige and green mist colorways.

Nike designers stressed that the Nike React Element 87 compared to its predecessors like the Epic React isn’t a running shoe but a lifestyle sneaker aimed for use by the urban commuter. The lightweight React Element 87 sneaker is proposed for wearers looking for comfortable footwear as they traverse the urban jungle on a daily basis. The Nike React foam midsole was updated and engineered with grooves studying foot motion and rubber pods placed for extra stability, cushioning, and traction.

nike air flight huarache ultra colorways

• Spotted rocking the style of the Nike React Element 87 include sports stars like NBA superstar Lebron James, American soccer star Jamal Adams, and NBA player Devin Booker.
• Also seen wearing the React Element 87 kicks include Air Max collab designer Sean Wotherspoon, K-Pop star Dara Park, and musician-rappers DJ Khaled and Tinie Tempah.
• Reflective materials are placed at the heel tab and eyestays to add visibility in low-light conditions.
• A textured TPU heel clip adds a stable feel while flat shoelaces are secured by a suede eyestay.
• Translucent rubber pods are conspicuously placed in parts of the midsole where traction is needed the most.