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The last waffle related sneaker I picked up were the Velvet Brown Waffle Trainer 2s, and now we’re moving towards a more modern release. These Nike Waffle One are a more futuristic take on the model.
While the Waffle Trainer 2 model I reviewed originally dropped in 1977, these are an updated 2021 release.
Futuristic takes on classic runners have been increasing in popularity thanks to Sacai and Undercover Nike collabs (among others) helping push that style. The design on the back of the heel, see through areas and bits of text on the sneaker all further that specific look on this model.
Why I Copped the Black Colorway of the Nike Waffle One
Buy on eBay
I’d been seeing various reviewers as well as people on social media rocking these and I wanted to get a pair for myself to try. I started checking for a pair of these but hadn’t found a colorway I really wanted to get until these came out.
I liked the Undercover Daybreaks and the ones I had were the black and white pair. These remind me of those a bit. I happened to see this colorway go up on Nike right around the same day I got paid and with the low retail price of $100 I grabbed a pair right then and there.
A nice clean black and white colorway is never a bad thing and I like how these are mostly all black with just a few white hits. The box lists orange as being in the colorway but it’s not used on the upper. It would have been cool to have a small visible orange hit somewhere but otherwise the little bits of white text and miniswoosh help break up the upper enough.
I like 70s runners like the Waffle Trainer 2 and so these being similar to those to some degree also is a factor. If you’re the type of person that likes 70s Nike runners but wants something new to rock with a similar vibe, this is the shoe for you! The colorway on this release helps keep the shoe lowkey despite having the style upgrade.
As far as the see through elements, me from 5 years ago probably would have hesitated, but these days it’s such a common design that I can appreciate the look. On this black colorway if you rock some black socks, it will essentially blend in. I like how its a mesh rather than some see through plastic like the Element React.
After I rocked my Undercover Daybreaks a bunch, they became my beaters. I’m no psychic, but I see a similar fate befalling these.
Details / Materials
Starting off we have a mesh tongue that’s a bit thin at the top and says “NSW // WFFL 1” on the outside part with a swoosh that sits just behind the top two eyelets. Moving down we have suede eyelets that lead to a mesh toebox with a suede mudguard. On the side of the mudguard we have a small reflective hit and just above that we can see a mini swoosh peeking out from behind the mesh.
Moving to the side we have another mesh panel with a black leather swoosh over it. The mesh panel continues towards the back along with another suede piece and of course that unique plastic heel clip. If you pull the backtab back you can see a Nike swoosh with “Est. 1972 NSW // WFFL 1” just under the mesh. It’s pretty tough to read but it’s there. On the inward facing part of the heel clip we see “EST. 1972 // BVRTN // OR – NSW // WFFL 1” and a swoosh debossed.
The insole is all one color with a contrasting print that also reads “EST. 1972 // BVRTN // OR – NSW // WFFL 1” with a swoosh. The outsole is all one color with some white bits of the midsole showing through and a contrasting hit at the back with a swoosh and “EST 1972” debossed.
These ship with a set of standard flat laces. The box is a typical orange Nike Sportswear box.
So, not a lot included here, however the retail price is only at $100. Which is still a lot of money, but as far as sneakers go, it usually just gets you the basics. Especially with Nike.
How is the Quality on the Nike Waffle One?
I had heard that the quality was good on these, and I was looking forward to at least getting some nice suede. In this area I’m a bit disappointed.
The suede here feels rough to the touch. I would have preferred a nice soft suede since this is essentially a modern lifestyle shoe. I know Nike can give us better suede but then again at $100 maybe they won’t. At least the cut seems decently thick
The leather on the swoosh is a bit softer but also super thin and does not give off the premium texture either. I’m ok with a detail or logo having some basic materials if there is at least one buttery material on the shoe. Unfortunately that doesn’t happen here.
I suppose if Nike drops a premium version at a higher retail price we might get something more luxurious. In this case while the quality isn’t trash, it’s definitely super basic.
One redeeming factor on the shoe though is that to me the design itself has a fancy look. Just looking at the shoe, I feel like it is a nice quality shoe, and I can maintain that as long as I don’t pay too much attention to the texture on the suede and leather.
As far as QC, the suede they use had marked up a bunch of the white midsole, probably in transport. Otherwise the craftsmanship seems like standard Nike fare, nothing out of the ordinary here.
How Does the Nike Waffle One Fit?
True to size works for the Nike Waffle One
I found that true to size works perfectly for me and I still find the fit to be slightly roomy. When the shoe was factory laced I was actually a bit worried but once I relaced them I found the toebox to be more forgiving.
Comfort
The uppers on this shoe are very comfortable. As they should be since they are mostly pliable suede and breathable mesh.
I’m not a big fan of thin tongues and collars normally as there is the risk of them cutting into the ankle if they are stiff, and pants can sit weird on them. In this case though the materials that contact the ankle are soft.
Underfoot these have kind of a standard retro runner feel. I gotta say though, the Waffle Trainer 2 actually feels like it has a softer midsole than these. These are still comfortable in a basic shoe kind of a way as far as cushioning goes. However if I only could choose one and the criteria was comfort, I’d take the Trainer 2 over the one personally.
Still overall this shoe is comfortable in a kind of basic way. Nothing mind blowing or next level as far as the fit here, but the shoe will do the trick for at least a few hours at a time.
Final Thoughts
I like a new model that is based on an updated version of an old model, provided the result looks good enough. In this case, I think Nike accomplishes this. I think as far as looks, comfort and materials, I like the Waffle Trainer 2 slightly more. In terms of a more modern approach to the silhouette that still looks great, these definitely work.
In particular I like this black colorway because it’s super clean and makes for a lowkey look on this model. Wear them with black socks and few people would probably even notice anything special about them. I also think a brightly colored sock would pop pretty nicely through that black mesh if I wanted to spice things up.
I’m interested in what a premium version of these with nicer materials might look like. Regardless, the point of these these things is the aesthetic, and I think they got that down pat! These look great on feet in my opinion.
Where To Cop the Nike Waffle One
While still in production, various colorways of the Waffle One release on Nike’s website as well as online sneaker boutiques (i.e. Packer Shoes, Sneaker Politics, etc). Sold out pairs can be found on second hand sites like eBay
Shop Waffle One on: eBay
As far as the colorway depicted in this article, you can find the black pair on eBay
Colorway: Black / Black – White – Orange
Style Code: DA7995 001
Year of Release: 2021
MSRP: $100