Words by Christopher Kevin Au // Head image via Sneaker Freaker
In Australia, no sneaker has earned a fierce and fiery reputation quite like Nike’s seven-bubbled stomper, the Nike TN.
Having long been the footwear of choice for troublemakers, the TN has earned endless subcultural significance across Australia’s underground, egged on by its hyper-aggressive design and vast array of wacky colours. Whether you frequent night-long raves, hip-hop shows or any train station in Western Sydney, it’s very likely that your eyes have been drawn to the floor by the neck-snapping sneaker, and its consistency has earned it a permanent spot on Foot Locker’s premium shelves with a shiny $240 price tag.
With popularity now reaching peak heights, the TN has emerged from the shadows to be embraced by the wider sneaker community, earning a larger cross-generational cult audience. Much of this fandom has been driven by TN Talk, a Facebook group dedicated to shoe boasting well over 15,000 members. Acting as a place to buy, sell and discuss all things TN, it has largely replaced more traditional online avenues like eBay and forums, offering a more convenient and fluid space for activity.
With the hype showing no signs of slowing down, we chatted to one of the administrators from TN Talk, Raymond Ray to discuss the role of the group, the changing face of the TN and what he hopes Nike has in store for the sneaker’s 20th birthday next year:
Explain how and why TN Talk started. Does it feel strange that you have 15,000 members now from all around the globe?
I joined TN talk when it had fewer than 100 members. Not many people know, but two blokes created TN Talk as a joke and the group was later sold for a $10 pizza. I think it’s safe to say no one including themselves had any idea how big it would grow and the impact this group would have on reviving the TN. After the first couple hundred members joined, the group was focused on the discussion, selling, buying and trading of TNs. Even though we were going through hundreds of member requests daily, I’m still surprised that a group based on the most tarnished shoe in Australia became so popular.
Australia is just one of a handful of countries who seem to have a fiery passion for the TN. What is it about the TN that has made it so popular in Australia, and more specifically Sydney?
I couldn’t pinpoint the exact trait that makes the TN so popular in Australia, whether it’s the name, the $240 price tag, the seven bubbles or the feeling when you put them on your feet; all I know is that people go crazy for TNs. The Air Max Plus is a model you either absolutely love or absolutely love to hate. The fade on the mesh is one of a kind, the veins running through are unique, there’s no other silhouette like it and the reputation is second to none. Those features with the help of the abundance of lads in Sydney and Australia pushed the TN’s popularity and spread its reach across the country.
TNs are having a little Renaissance moment right now with hugely inflated prices and endless hype. What are some of the factors that you would attribute to the skyrocketing popularity of TNs?
The TN is an extremely hyped shoe right now and I have to admit, I believe TN Talk played a large role for making it so popular in recent times. Two years ago I couldn’t even sell decent condition pairs for over a hundred bucks. Now those same shoes would go for triple, if not more. It also helped that TNs are more accepted into society, and are the shoe of choice for most rave-goers, who are unfortunately constantly looking for triple blacks.
It’s now well known that older models are more exclusive and sought after with the Made in Vietnam Vs Made in Indonesia battle. With older colours getting harder and harder to find, a lot of people have taken up collecting TNs full-time; racing against others to find colourways in demand.
TNs have a pretty fierce reputation as the footwear of choice for troublemakers, but they have slowly become more accepted into wider mainstream fashion. What are the main differences in how people view TNs or wear TNs in 2017 as opposed to a decade ago?
TNs have a lot of history in Australian footwear; years ago if you had TNs on you’d get looked at differently everywhere you go. Wearing TNs back then would draw unwanted attention and give a perception to the public that you’re a delinquent. Because of that stereotype, cops would pull you over for no reason and store attendants would follow you around the shop thinking you’re going to steal something.
Now, everyone wears TNs, it’s become a norm. Although it’s still the footwear of choice for younger troublemakers, it’s become a lot more relaxed. I reckon a few of the older boys in the group who wore TNs through that era would have a thing or two to say to the younger guys who chuck on their first pair of TNs solely for raves or to fit in and look cool.
There have been some interesting conversations on TN Talk regarding the criminal reputation for the shoe, namely whether or not it’s okay to bash someone for their TNs. What are your thoughts on this, and how do you think the generational gap in TN wearers has affected their view of the shoe?
I don’t think anyone should get bashed for their shoes, but wearing TNs back then was like putting a target on your back. Hearing about people getting rolled for their TNs was almost a daily ritual, and it seemed like either you had to be street smart or kicked back with the right clique, or you’d walk home barefoot. $240 was a lot of money to be spending on shoes, and instead of going to the store people would stand over or roll others for theirs, and back then there was a sense of pride in doing it.
I don’t really hear about that stuff happening much anymore and it seems like people grew up or moved on. I’m sure it still happens, but the new generation of TN wearers don’t wear it for the same reason as they did back then.
Aside from just buying/selling, what role do you think groups like TN Talk are playing in the whole sneaker experience and how is it shifting?
TN Talk is a lot more than just buying and selling. Members can discuss topics through this platform and get the information they need about a new release at Foot Locker without leaving the house. TN Talk is very different from many other sneaker groups I’ve been in, it seems more of a community rather than a group where people can buy or sell a shoe. The members here have each other’s backs, and with newer groups like ours I think it creates a sense of community due to similar interests.
The sneaker game is very selfish at times, but I’ve made a lot of friends through this group willing to help anyway they can, which is surprising for a bunch of people who wear the most notorious shoe in Australia.
Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the TN. What are you hoping that Nike will release in commemoration of the event?
They released a retro of the OG Tigers and Hyper Blues a couple years ago, so I don’t think they’ll do that again. And I’m not sure I’d like to see them release that in the Made in Indonesia version. There’s almost no chance, but it would be nice to see TNs on Nike ID with the option to add a fade pattern on the mesh.
Over recent years we have seen Nike’s sneakers like the Huarache, Presto and Air Max 97 have huge surges in popularity similar to the TN. What do you think will be the next ‘it’ shoe?
For me the difference between the Huarache, Presto, Air Max 97 and TNs is that those shoes that have been popular due to Nike reissuing them, while TNs are so popular at the moment due to its current hype. People will constantly search for nostalgia and shoes from their childhood, so whatever Nike decides to bring back will be popular, for example the Air Max 1 Jewel. Right now it also seems like Vapormax is making its way up the ladder.
Other Facebook groups dedicated to sneakers/fashion have gone on to commodify their online presence with merchandise, swap meets and so forth. What ways are you looking to grow TN Talk and what’s in the future for the group?
There have been recent discussions between the admins for TN Talk merchandise, particularly shirts. Another admin, Alex Vee is looking through the legality of having a TN printed on a shirt and if Nike will sue him or not. We hope the group remains to grow the way it has, leaning towards a community rather than a buy & sell group. The admin team is also potentially discuss meets or events.
As a representative of TN Talk, what’s one message that you think the group would like to send to Nike about TNs?
I think the only message the group would like to send to Nike is to bring back the qualities of the old TNs. Change the shape back to the way it was, stop the paint cracking on the midsole after two wears and more interesting colours.
