2008 & 2014 Nike Air Tech Challenge II.

2008 & 2014 Nike Air Tech Challenge II.

Back in 2008, the Nike Air Tech Challenge II (ATC II) Retroed for the first time. When I first started getting into shoes heavily and being on sneaker message boards, in the early 2000's, one the first few sneakers that have always caught my eye were the Air Tech Challenge models. What made them stood out the most were the vibrant colors. I love bright colored sneakers and when a colorway is executed great, I am highly attracted to them. These easily became one of my favorite sneakers from Nike. 

In 2008, when they first retroed them, I ended up getting two pairs. One to wear and one to keep deadstock. The one that I wear is pretty beat considering they are my all time favorite beaters. I've hiked in them, played basketball, ran in the mud in the rain and even became my work shoes for a few years. In 2014, when I found out they were re-releasing them again, I was ecstatic. I found out they made the 2014 ATC II's a quickstrike which made it a little more difficult to purchase but that didn't stop me of course. The shoes released this past Friday and I was fortunate to get a pair. 

Today I decided to take photos of both the 2008 and 2014 pair. Below are a few things that stood out and a few other small details. 

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Shoe box details. Upper Left (2014) & Lower Right (2008)

The 2008 color code used was White/Hot Lave-Black-Granite.
The 2014 color code used was White/Hot Lave-Black-Flt Slvr. A slight name change.

2014 ATC II.

2014 ATC II.

2014 ATC II.

2014 ATC II.
A Nike Air thin plastic tag was added as a small bonus.

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2008 & 2014 ATC II Comparison Details.

Left 2008 & Right 2014.

- The 2008 pair used a non glossy/matte Hot Lava finish while the 2014 pair has a glossy/shine Hot Lava finish.
- The 2008 grey color tone is lighter while the 2014 grey color tone is darker making it a bit blue.

Left 2008 & Right 2014.

- The 2008 inner front sole Hot Lava is not as vibrant to match the Hot Lava color while the 2014 inner front sole is a bit more red.

Left 2008 & Right 2014.

Left 2008 & Right 2014.

- The 2008 black materials used is less glossy while the 2014 black materials used have a bit of a gloss to it.  

Left 2008 & Right 2014.

- The 2008 pair is a bit higher compared to the 2014 pair.
- The 2008 Nike Air logo stitched on the back is a bit smaller but the stitching seems more cleaner compared to the 2014 pair were the Nike Air logo is larger but the stitching seems a little less cleaner.
- The black leather used on 2008 pair around the ankle portion isn't curved or pointing upwards as the 2014 pair is. 

- The 2008 cushioning around the ankle support seemed to used a non glossy/matte finish while the 2014 pair used a slight difference in material along with a glossy finish. 

Left 2008 & Right 2014.

- The materials on the tongue on the 2008 pair has smaller ridges and a non glossy/matte finish while the materials on the tongue for the 2014 pair is slightly different and has a glossy finish to it.

Left 2008 & Right 2014.

Left 2008 & Right 2014.

Left 2008 & Right 2014.

Left 2008 & Right 2014.

Left 2008 & Right 2014.

Left 2008 & Right 2014.
- One big thing that changed besides the color and materials used, was that the 2008 pair has a more smooth feel on the leather while the 2014 pair seems a bit more rough on the leather. I believe they used the same leather materials on both the 2008 and 2014 pair, but finished slightly different.

- One thing I noticed on the 2008 pair was the leather was really good. No matter how many times I wore the shoe, it would barely crease. I'm hoping and expecting the 2014 pair will meet the same needs and expectations as the 2008 pair.

- Overall, besides the price hike from $100 (2008) to $120 (2014) to slight difference in the Hot Lava color, a great shoe that I don't see anything to really complain about.

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