Restoring the Nike Night Track “Studio 54”: A 1978 Grail Brought Back to Life

In this special episode, Vick Almighty takes on one of the oldest and rarest sneakers in Nike’s history: the Nike Night Track “Studio 54” from 1978.

This isn’t just a vintage sneaker — it’s a historical artifact from the golden era of disco and the early days of Nike experimenting with lifestyle footwear.

 

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The Story Behind the Nike Night Track “Studio 54”

Back in the late '70s, Studio 54 was the epicenter of nightlife in New York City. With celebrities like Michael Jackson, Mr. T, and David Hasselhoff walking its velvet ropes, it became the perfect inspiration for a shoe built to shine on the dance floor.

A Nike sales manager, who frequented the club, helped develop a sneaker that combined sport with spectacle. Based on the LDV runner model, the Night Track came with:

• A silver metallic upper

• Glitter outsole for the disco dance floor

• Light-reflective Swooshes and lining

Today, the shoe is a unicorn, especially in fully original condition.

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How Vick Restored the Night Track to Its Former Glory

This pair of Night Tracks came with all original parts, which meant every step had to be surgical. Here's how the process broke down:

Step 1: Prep with Precision

An air compressor was used first to remove surface dust and debris while preserving delicate vintage materials.

Step 2: Deep Cleaning the Upper

Vick used Reshoevn8r's Sneaker Cleaning Solution and a stiff bristle brush to clean the midsoles, uppers, and tongue without causing damage.

Step 3: Midsole Restoration

To restore faded foam, Sole Revive was applied, followed by time in the Vick 2000 lightbox to brighten the original midsole color.

Step 4: Outsole Work

Using buffing compounds, Vick attempted to remove scratches. While some marks remained, the shine and color were significantly revived.

Step 5: Repairing the Upper

• Steamers helped remove deep-set creases

• Leather filler fixed gouges on the toe box

• Silver paint blended scratched areas into the original upper

Step 6: Lace Preservation

Because these laces are era-specific and nearly impossible to replace, Vick delicately hand-washed them to maintain authenticity.

Step 7: Reglue + Final Touch

Before gluing the soles, Vick used a Dremel tool to remove old adhesive. After carefully aligning and bonding the sole, he finished with mink oil to condition the leather and bring back its softness.

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Why This Restoration Matters

The Nike Night Track “Studio 54” isn’t just rare — it’s symbolic of Nike’s early experimentation in blending performance with lifestyle. Restoring a sneaker like this isn’t just about cleaning — it’s about preserving cultural history.

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Watch the Full Studio 54 Restoration

Want to see the full process from start to finish? Watch the video on our YouTube channel and leave a comment about your favorite part of the restoration—or if you’ve ever seen a pair like this in real life.
Watch here: https://youtube.com/@reshoevn8r

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Save 20% with Code “Studio54”

To celebrate this iconic restoration, use code “Studio54” at checkout to get 20% off your next Reshoevn8r order. Whether you’re working on a grail or freshening up your beaters, our premium sneaker care lineup has you covered.

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