I had to check the thread but a New Grant Hill (Sorta) prototpe emerged a few months ago. It’s called the Fila Swarm 99, which is a bring back of a prototype designed by legendary sneaker designer Steven Smith. I believe this was most likely one of the early options for the Grant Hill GHIV and they went in another direction. I really wish we could just get a GHIV.... It’s like needed!
Seems to be an Asia exclusive at the moment but it’s dope they brought it back. The issue is Just smaller sizes and not really available. I need the U.S. 13... hoping I can score a pair in the coming months before it disappears.
The downside to this retro is they used a completely different outsole deisgn from Steve’s OG prototype. I’m sure it was to save cost but seems to be a waste of the opportunity. Especially being they opened molds and cutting dies for the upper and midsole. I just don’t understand why this shoe and why not to make it a one to one retro? Also none of the original prototype colorways seemed to make it? Other than the white black color way which seems to be the closest to the samples. Also the materials look horrendous!!!! That synthetic leather looks like plastic but I haven’t seen in person so I will hold my judgement until one of you guys let me know if y’all can cop y’all size.
Overall still a solid shoe. Happy to see something new in the Grant range. Also to see some Pistons teal colorways. Just kind of disappointed that they decided to go with this shoe instead of a model that was more impactful and something Grant actually wore on court. The only thing I can think is Fila trying to capitalize on the Hypebeast that may buy the shoe being it was designed by a “Yeezy”designer but even then that’s a reach. Overall 8/10 for me in terms of design. Mainly as I’m just happy to see a new Grant and I rock with Steven Smith. Just a random release and materials and OG specs are off for sure but this is interesting for sure and gives us hope for others down the line.
www.complex.com
