Mexico 66: We Would Kill Bill For These Sneakers

As the mainstream style scene grasps hold of any sneaker you may once have considered ‘underground’ or ‘edgy,’ let me introduce you to the quirky younger sister of the Adidas Samba: Onitsuka Tiger’s Mexico 66 sneaker. Spotted on your favorite off-duty models, flaunted all over Instagram and a fan-favorite of the movie buffs, 66s are slowly becoming the shoe of the summer.

Where it all started 

In 1949, shortly after the war, former military officer Kihachiro Onitsuka established Onitsuka Co., Ltd in order to contribute to the development of Japan’s youth and the reconstruction of their future. The core goals of the company were technical strength and comfort alongside their dedication to innovation: in fact, their first breakthrough sneaker was designed with suction cup soles, inspired by an octopus salad eaten by Onitsuka — the muse can visit at the most unexpected moments. The brand took early retirement in 1977 but made a grand return in 2002, thanks to the retro boom. To this day, the Onitsuka Tiger continue to regenerate heritage-style shoes, with a little help from their own archives, retaining the ‘60s flair with contemporary design enhancements.

Mexico 66 

An iconic sneaker that has stood the test of time, the Mexico 66 is the lovechild of the 1961 LIMBER-UP training shoe and the 1966 Limber shoe, combining the features and designs to birth a renowned classic in time for the 1968 Summer Olympics, held in Mexico City. This model was one of the first to feature the Onitsuka Tiger stripes, which are not only stylish but functional, allowing integrated laces to improve stability. With the trademark stripes acting as a logo, the shoe feels understated, almost elusive.

On the big screen

The Mexico 66 got a little more than its five minutes of fame when the sneaker was worn by Uma Thurman in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol 1. One of the most idolized movie-style moments of all time: a yellow tracksuit, decked out with black stripes and matching Onitsuka Tigers. The look is rooted in Japanese culture, referencing Bruce Lee’s 1978 flick Game of Death which features several colourways of the deadly kicks.

Recent trends are exhibiting a decrease in shoe size, embracing thin soles for summer and putting aside our chunky heeled stompers. The Mexico 66 is a delicate, almost ballet-slipper-adjacent shoe: it has become a cult classic, proving that it can float through the fashion cycle seamlessly … a Quentin Tarantino-approved shoe.