Reebok Classic Heel Clip Trainers

Author's product rating:   

Durability	Poor
Style	Excellent
Comfort	Excellent
Control	Excellent
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Comfortable, stylish and versatile .
Disadvantages:	Not hard wearing

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Reebok Classic

I've worn various styles of Reebok trainers over the years, probably more than any other brand having previously dabbled with Adidas, Puma, and Nike to name a few. I came to favour the design and style of the classic Reebok trainer shoe. The fact that it was a British brand identified by the small Union Jack next to the brand name on the side of the shoe also appealed. Although it should be pointed out that no Reebok trainers are made in Britain. The vast majority are manufactured in the sweatshops of the Far East.

Design

The three sweeping criss-crossing lines on the side of a Reebok are now a firmly established brand symbol instantly recognisable. This white Reebok Classic Leather trainer features a heel clip with the classic logo and the synthetic badge Reebok logo on the tongue of the shoe. The design also incorporates the white rubber outsole in the iconic classic tread pattern. My particular pair are white with black stripes with outer edge neon yellow, although they are available in other colours. The heel clip on this particular style, refers to the small piece of plastic (sometimes it's leather) material that rises from the sole at the lower back part of the shoe and covers the lower part of the show body near the heel. This has the advantage of protecting the join between the sole and the shoe body. With earlier designs this is often exposed and the join becomes vulnerable if the shoe is worn frequently in waterlogged conditions for example.

Comfort

One of the attributes that differentiates Reebok from Adidas and Nike is the softer leather used on the uppers. This has both a plus side and a down side. The softness makes the show more comfortable to wear and the trainer more quickly adapts to the shape of your foot after you buy a new pair, compared to say, a similar Adidas trainer for example. The downside though is that they do scuff more easily. Reebok trainers are generally no good when it comes to playing five-a-side footy indoors or on a hard outdoor playing surface. I have found that just kicking a ball around can lead to permanent scuff marks.

Wear and Tear

I would say that Reebok trainers generally hold their shape well for about twelve months if worn everyday. I find that after this period they generally become a little raggedy in appearance and rather scuffed. Obviously people who only use their trainers at the weekend will get longer use out of them. If they become dirty after a period you can throw these trainers in the washing machine as with a normal wash (no spin) and they will come out sparkling. Although I wouldn't recommend washing them too often with this method. After considerable use, one major common flaw I've found in the design is that the stitching will often come away near the front of shoe, specifically in the big toe area. Now this might have something to do with the way I walk, but I doubt it as I've only ever had this problem with Reebok classic trainers. Another vulnerability is the sole join at the front of the shoe. This curls up slightly to join the leather upper. The join here can sometimes start to come away. However, this is much rarer than the stitching problem and the synthetic sole is usually strongly affixed to the leather upper. It is important to remember that all training shoes have design flaws and despite the vulnerabilities mentioned above, I would still argue that the Reebok Classic Heel Clip Trainer is a well designed and well made training shoe.

Conclusion

So the classic Reebok range is aimed primarily at the casual recreational market. In terms of recreation they are specifically aimed at walking, light running and possibly gym work-outs. These particular trainers are ideal for everyday wear and are very comfortable and stylish. They are not too flashy. Over the years I have found them to be ideal as an option for travel footwear, for in addition to being comfortable they are also lightweight. For a top price you can pay around £65 for Reebok Classic Heel Clip Trainers. There are both male and female designs. Shop around in markets and you might get them at discount or on special offer, but always check them thoroughly to make sure you are not being sold seconds. I have seen them on eBay for £35. If you do pay £65 for a pair of Reebok Classic Heel Clip Trainers, have some consideration for the poor worker who made your footwear; it is more than likely that s/he was only paid less than £1 for a days work.

Ethical Considerations

When it comes to ethical considerations during manufacture, very few companies producing training shoes have good records. In the recent past there have been considerable human rights abuses in the factories where Reebok products are made. The brand continues to have a very low rating on the ethical consumer.org website for example. There are many factories in Indonesia, China and Thailand that produce Reebok and other branded trainers. These factories often have an appalling disregard for their workers and for local labour laws on working hours, pay, child labour, and health and safety conditions. Whilst major sports stars receive millions of dollars in sponsorship for wearing or using particular brands, the workers who produced the goods will more often than not earn less than $2 a day. Reebok claim that they are attempting to make improvements in the way workers are treated as well as environmental standards.

According to Oxfam, Reebok in Asia are working to "ensure respect for trade union rights in a number of supplier factories. The company has also cooperated with labour rights groups to explore the possibility of democratic representation in countries which legally restrict trade union rights. Unfortunately, this positive work is undermined by Reebok's vigorous opposition to the establishment of unions in its distribution centres in the United States".