Though it's fair to say that the TN design has always been divisive, if you peek closer at a pair you’ll be able to notice a couple of details that make the model special. The lateral Swoosh is actually a little slimmer and longer than the standard logo, and this was thanks to the fact that McDowell has freestyled the design as no one had yet shown him exactly how to draw it. Of course, the rest of the shoe is equally as unique-looking, from the plastic exoskeleton that calls back to the palms, to the gradient upper, to its signature shank that divides the front and back Air Units – the inspiration drawn from a whale’s tail.
While the TN remains one of Nike’s most popular models, cultural biases have managed to skew the perception of the shoe, but tracing the process back to its conception, the TN has always been a bit of a disruptor at heart. Not only was the Swoosh a little off, but McDowell saw the creation of the sneaker as a chance to challenge Nike lore. As a runner, he found it odd that reflective elements were put on the back of the shoes, when really, you should run facing traffic for better visibility, which would require reflective elements all the way up the front. The TN therefore saw reflective detailing dress the tongue and toe box – one of the shoe’s most popular and distinguishing details.