The Kickers Kick Lo is the alternative shoe version of the Kick Hi which became the footwear of choice for British youth during the 1980s.
When it comes to footwear it's always good to have a boot & shoe alternative. Take
the Clarks Wallabee for example which comes in shoe and boot form. Both look just as great it all just depends on the occasion. The same goes for Kickers with the Kick Hi & the Kick Lo. The first is a boot, the latter is a shoe. During the warmer months of the year a boot can sometimes feel a little overbearing so the shoe alternative comes into play. With the Kickers Kick Lo however its chunky design is just as good in the winter months. To put it simply the Kick Lo is the crme de la crme of casual shoes. If you had to name the Daddy of casual shoes of all time, the Kick Lo would certainly be up there. A popular style with the original Perry Boys, the Casuals, the Paninaro & the original ravers, the Kickers Kick silhouette is so rich in subculture it literally squelches Acid House sounds as you walk in them.
Above: The Kickers Kick Lo in tan nubuck now available from 80s Casual Classics.
Founded in France by Daniel Raufast back in 1970, Kickers was all about creating footwear to wear with denim, hence the slogan "Born From Denim". With a more "Casual" approach to footwear, the Kick Lo in particular, became a massive hit among the youth of British secondary schools during the 1980s. Famous for their green & red tabs and iconic Kickers tags, the Kick Lo was something like the Yeezy equivalent to modern day Hypebeasts. The musical connection of the French footwear was also huge with the likes of the Who's Roger Daltry & David Bowie championing the brand throughout the 1970s & the 1980s. The "crossover casual style" really made its mark on the dancefloors on the Acid House scene of the late 80s & early 90s. The Madchester era marked a new era for Kickers courtesy of The Stone Roses & rave revellers who saw a loophole in the "No Trainers" policy of notorious nightclubs like the Hacienda. Worn with loose fitting jeans & t-shirts, Kickers became a key look associated with the whole "baggy" scene. 
Above: The Kickers Kick Lo in dark brown leather now available from 80s Casual Classics. As far as design goes the Kick Lo is literally the shoe version of the Kick Hi without the added ankle support. Featuring the signature triple stitched uppers in a choice of nubuck or leather, the Kick Lo is probably one of the sturdiest shoes you will ever own. The green & red Kickers tab add a touch of nostalgia with the iconic Kickers flower tag & brass eyelets offering a trip down memory lane for many. Finished off the with the "ready for just about anything" chunky sole unit, the Kick Lo will look the business with a pair of jeans or cords for the slightly warmer months. Shop the celebrated casual shoe now at 80s Casual Classics via the links.
