Sneaker culture has taken over the AFL in recent years, with players all over the league delighting in stacking up their footwear collections, chasing rare and limited pairs.
From players like Nike Dunk-obsessed Christian Petracca, to the Suns Nike TN-rocking rookie Bailey Humphrey, the AFL is no stranger to sneakerheads, but Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel has achieved a height that no other player in the league has ever reached: he has his own signature shoe.
In collaboration with Australian sneaker brand Athletikan, Shiel has announced his first signature model, the DS09, personally designed by him in conjunction with the Athletikan team.
The DS09 is seemingly a play on the brand’s ‘ALTIS’ model, decked out in Essendon’s signature red and black colourway.
Speaking to Channel 7, Shiel said that his shoe with Athletikan is an attempt to capture the same attention that athlete and brand collaborations have achieved in places like America.
“We’ve seen it be really successful over in the American market, and we think that there’s a market here for them,” Shiel said.
The Athletikan x Dylan Shiel ‘DS09’ is currently available for pre-order on Athletikan’s website, for $139 AUD.
What is Athletikan?
Athletikan is an Australian sneaker company launched in 2016, whose products are a mix of performance and lifestyle footwear.
According to the brand's website, their goal is to produce 'sneakers that can be worn from the street to the gym.'
While Shiel is the brand's first signature athlete, the company have worked with an impressive array of athletes in its first decade.
Their roster includes Alex Volkanovski, Francis Ngannou, Dane Swan, Mitch Creek, and George Kambosos Jr.
