The once discontinued sneaker with a cult following is spotted in-store in Los Angeles.

UPDATE: Looks like these are already sold out in the spots that had them. Early readers reported success but I've heard from a few around the country that their local stores don't have them and haven't received word of a restock. Readers are writing in with conflicting reports about what store reps and the corporate number are saying, from some back stock available to order to nothing at all. The local store I saw them in are now sold out as well. I'll keep you updated if I learn more.

UPDATE 2: Primer reader Chicago Native was able to order a pair by calling corporate, but it appears it's backstock and you have to get a rep that knows how to properly order it:

FYI, I called a third time, and this person (Ebony) said they do, in fact, have the shoes albeit an extremely limited supply (e.g. they don't have any size 10's). The trick is the rep has to know how to place the order. Not sure how it all works, but the rep was super nice and I have a pair of Killshots on the way… and she even waived the upcharge for 2 day delivery!

UPDATE 3: A reddit user found this: “Called Los Angeles flagship store and they said they restocked last week and are already all sold out. The rep said he said there's a chance they will restock but right now they're focusing on boots for fall.”

UPDATE 4: 6 hours ago a Reddit user in South New Jersey was able to order 10.5's that are coming from an LA store.

______________

I've just received in-person confirmation that the Nike Killshot 2 is back at J. Crew.

I was surprised to spot them on display in a store, so I called some other Southern California stores to confirm – and their answer was YES, they are back in stock. They have yet to be restocked on J. Crew's website, so currently you can only find them in-store. It's possible this may be regional, so your mileage may vary. A few readers were told a different story when they spoke to representatives at their local stores.

Why is this announcement-worthy? Well, this shoe has a following so devoted that online forums like Male Fashion Advice on Reddit have created guides on how to wear it. And not surprisingly, fans were devastated when it was announced 6 months ago that the shoe was discontinued, resulting in used pairs going for hundreds of dollars on eBay.

Since its initial debut almost 40 years ago as an indoor court shoe, Nike's Killshot is now revered by sneakerheads as a casual classic. J.Crew's head menswear designer Frank Muytjens cemented its cult status with a fashionable 2009 revival, the Killshot 2: a vintage-inspired update that retains all the timeless appeal of the '70s original. It's a low-profile sneaker that has been deliberately stripped down to keep it light-weight and achieve an attractively minimalist look.

Perhaps its most distinctive feature is the gum outsole, which is an especially soft rubber that provides superior traction compared to other types of soles. It's a natural gum derived from trees, thus the natural tan color – not only creating a unique contrast, but its neutral hue allows this to be one of the most versatile shoes you can own.

If you like the look but want something you can order online, check out the gum sole New Balance for J.Crew 791 which replaced the Killshots when they were discontinued.

If the Killshot 2 is as hot a ticket as it's been in the past, don't expect them to stay in stock for long. So for those planning on searching for them at your neighborhood J.Crew, best of luck!



