words_Nick DePaula
images_Zac Dubasik
Amongst a wide-ranging assortment of Trainer 1 colorways to be seen throughout the rest of this year, it was Manny Pacquiao’s Metallic Gold/ White/ Varsity Red version that kicked off the excitement surrounding the shoe last spring. With a release to celebrate his May bout against Ricky Hatton, where he won by knockout in just the second round, it was also the shoe that Pac-Man swore by during the months he spent training leading up to the fight. With intense workouts in the gym, jogs lasting several miles and a conditioning regimen few would dare, the Trainer 1 was by his side throughout. Just after its release, the Pacquiao Trainer 1 skyrocketed in price on the secondary market, proving not only the shoe’s popularity and penchant for taking color, but also Manny’s huge following and presence in his native country as well as here stateside.
To follow up on the tremendous success of the debut Trainer 1, there have been two additional colorways to celebrate Manny’s current dominance of boxing. With a “Lights Out” version to honor his TKO of Hatton that dropped in October, styled up in a black nubuck base with glow-in-the-dark accents found throughout, once again Manny fever struck the world as fans camped out for days on end to get their hands on a pair. Last night, we saw Manny’s return to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where he enjoyed a TKO 12th-round win over Miguel Cotto for claim of the WBO Welterweight Title. Nike once again celebrated the fight, as they released a special Pac-Man Trainer 1 yesterday morning, and here we have a look at the custom version that Manny used throughout his training. After his request for a bit more cushioning, the shoe’s upper sits atop an Air Max 360 tooling, debuting the Nike Trainer 1 / 360. With the Philippine flag providing inspiration for the base of the shoe, the added Air Max 360 cushioning proved to offer more padding during his even more extended runs. While there’s a countless supply of Trainer 1 colorways to be seen, there’s no doubt that the Manny Pacquiao renditions have not only been the most sought-after, but each launch has lead by innovation as well, debuting new materials and cushioning systems alike.
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I love the appreciation by Nike. However, they need to make these more available. There are more Filipinos than locataions like Las Vegas, SF, LA, NY, and Canada. I’m glad a lot of Filipinos come out to camp and try to obtain a pair. I’ve seen it based on experienced Proud to be pnoy. I still need the first and last colorways.
Mad props to Pacman!.
Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino! I hope these become available in the Philippines.
Manny Pacquiao, the Pride of the Philippines!
The shoes are beautiful and I do agree with MarcSJ that these need to be readily available and hopefully future releases are general releases. Manny Pacquiao is an amazing boxer and Nike has done an amazing job on these kicks. Bring on Mayweather!!!
soles are 2009’s!!!!
I like the normal trainers better than the 360, but he really deserves the attention, I wish they made GR Trainer for him, I think he’s big enough for that by now.
These make me want a full AM bag Trainer 1 over the AM 2009!!! Please release this concept Nike in multiple CW’s!
WOW…..
While I personally didn’t feel the need for more cushion in the shoe, I would gladly give these a shot if there was a GR! Possibly even better than the Max 2009 sole, is the fact that Nike finally worked Flywire into the Trainer 1 !!!!!
bro. flywire has been in all versions. don’t knwo what you’re looking at
pac man is the mike jordan of boxing
Can’t wait until he fights Mayweather Jr.
I like his chances !
Dan, flywire has NOT been in all versions! I own 2 colorways, no flywire. Lightweight, yes. Strong, yes. Flywire, no!
yo, NDP..
don’t forget that the lights-out as well as the flag colored trainers are so far (to my knowledge) the only trainer 1s to feature the fan favorite mesh toe instead of grain leather like on the GRs.
got 2 pairs
hey! where’d you get you pair? i’ve been calling Nike here and they said they’re not yet sure when they’ll be available.
I GOT A PAIR SIZE 8. NEVERED TRIED ON AND I HAVE THE RECEIPT AS WELL. WHO WANTS THESE AWESOME SHOES AND VERY LIMITED TO THE PUBLIC I WAS THE FIRST ONE IN LINE TO BE CALLED IN TO GET THESE SHOES AT NIKETOWN IN SAN FRANCISCO ON NOV. 14, 2009 I CAMPED OUT ALL NIGHT. SO GET AT ME WITH YOUR INFO AND WILL ARRANGE HOW WE CAN MAKE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSACTION. PACMAN GETS MY PROPS.
who’s next??????????
Floyds next !!!!!