The Nike Blazer was introduced in 1973 as one of the company’s first basketball models.
Named after the Portland Trail Blazers, the shoe reflected Nike’s early focus on basketball footwear. Its design used a high-top silhouette, a large side Swoosh, and a vulcanized rubber outsole.
The Blazer was associated with basketball player George Gervin, who helped give the model visibility during the 1970s. Over time, it moved from a performance basketball shoe into skateboarding and casual fashion.
It is often confused with the Air Force 1, which arrived later in 1982 and introduced Nike Air cushioning to basketball footwear. The Blazer predates that model and belongs to Nike’s earlier, simpler basketball-shoe era.