Reebok Club C 85 review 2024

Reebok’s Club C 85 tennis shoe first released in 1985 but recently rose to fame again after being spotted by fashion influencers like Emily Ratajkowski and Shawn Mendes. The “C” in the name stands for “Champion,” and the unisex shoe is winning off the court as a popular lifestyle sneaker that’s also quite affordable (around $45 on Amazon). To see if this sporty choice is worth the hype, I wore the Reebok Club C 85 and while I appreciated the authentic heritage details, I liked another ’80s-inspired Reebok sneaker better: the Phase Court Shoes. Read on to find out why I recommend this pair over the Club C 85.

The key facts you need to know: Unlike the Club C 85, the Phase Court sneaker is not a vintage shoe—in fact, it was released recently. If you’re a sneaker purist and just want to wear an original design from 1980, stick with the Club C 85. Otherwise, the Phase Court features many of the same retro details from Reebok—the windowbox logo, the inlay pattern with contrasting lining—but is, in my opinion, more comfortable.

The comfort level

The Phase Court has a roomier design with a slightly wider toe box than the Club C. This makes sense, as the Club C was designed to be a true tennis shoe—which should fit snugly to prevent your ankles from rolling over and sliding around the court during lateral movements. However, if you’re not doing serves and overhead shots, but wear your sneakers more as lifestyle shoes, the Phase Court gives your feet more room, which I appreciated. I felt a little constricted in the Club C and noted the risk of blisters. Neither shoe comes in wide sizes, so you’ll want to choose an option that comfortably accommodates your feet.

The design details

Both the Club C and Phrase Court have a moisture-wicking fabric insole (it feels similar to terry cloth) and a flat, ridged outsole that provides good support and traction. In my opinion, neither shoe offered more or less cushioning; overall, both have decent cushioning and weigh about the same (the Phase Court is a bit heavier, but only by a few ounces). Both models are similarly priced and come in unisex sizing.

The style differences

From an aesthetic standpoint, the Club C and Phase Court differ in a few ways: the Phase Court has a leather and suede upper, while the Club C is made entirely of leather. Personally, I like the textural contrast that the suede overlay provides on the Phrase Court shoe. Also of note: the Phase Court has a smooth band that runs around the baseline of the shoe; on the Club C, this surface is grained, which could certainly serve a purpose on the tennis court, but doesn’t give me any streetwear value. Finally, both models come in predominantly white colorways, but the Phase Court features more fashionable contrast stitching. However, if you prefer a streamlined, white shoe, the Club Cs are the way to go.

The conclusion

So which sneaker is better? Of course, there is no right or wrong answer here, because fashion is not a game with rules. If you have to choose, the Reebok Club C 85 appeals to sneaker purists with its minimalist design and sleek, slim fit, while the newer Phase Court offers more comfort and bold style, but lacks the true authenticity of the 1980s. Ultimately, both sneakers have their advantages, the final decision is yours.