Nike sneakers have single-handedly dominated the footwear market for the past decades. The multinational brand is credited for creating some hottest-selling footwear choices, from Air Jordans to Air Max, Dunk Low to Air Force, and more.
Catering to varied customer base over the years, the footwear powerhouse has collaborated with major pop culture icons to deliver themed collections. From CLOT to Sacai VaporWaffle, Jordan x Travis Scott, and more, Nike sneaker collaborations have greatly reshaped the global fashion and streetwear scene.
Nike began sneaker collaborations in 1973 and signed the first partnership deal with American athlete Steve Prefontaine. Known for his outgoing personality, Steve inspired the brand to experiment with catchy colors and bold styles. Although he passed away three years later, Pre's legacy paved the way for one of the biggest streetwear innovations, putting Nike in a league of its own.
Disclaimer: This article may reflect the writer’s opinion. Do comment with suggestions on other collaborations that deserve to be on the list.
A look at the top 5 Nike sneaker collabs ever
Nike sneaker collaborations are often built around bold ideas and foray into the social and intellectual impact of major pop culture icons. The partnerships offer a fusion of excellent craftsmanship and creativity in the form of exhaustive footwear collections.
While Nike's pop culture partnerships have produced numerous footwear over the years, here are five of the most-loved sneaker collaborations of all time:
1) Nike x Jacquemus
Nike and Jacquemus first joined hands for a partnership celebrating the 50th anniversary of the footwear brand in June 2022. The collection was based on the hike-ready '97 Air Humara and came in light bone and brown shades. The streetwear featured the aesthetics of ACG trail shoes, waffle-themed outsole, and Air cushioning for absolute comfort.
The Nike x Jacquemus collection is available for purchase at starting prices of over $170 and onwards at retailers like Amazon, Goat, and Farfetch.
2) CLOT x Sacai x Nike sneaker
Former popstar Edison Chen's CLOT and Chitose Abe's Sacai partnered with Nike in October 2021 to launch a sneaker collection celebrating iconic moments in the history of the brands. The popular collection was based around the Nike Air Max 1 SP and came with semi-translucent meshes, LDWaffle silhouette, and seamless toecap.
Featuring off-grey and net orange color themes, the collection can be availed from StockX, Farfetch, and Flight Club web stores at starting prices of over $263.
3) Stranger Things x Nike sneakers
Nike teamed up with the popular Netflix series Stranger Things in 2019 to release over four sneakers, highlighting the 1985 theme of the show's Hawkins High School. The limited edition collection came in green, red, white, and off-white themes and was based around the brand's Blazer, Cortez, and Tailwind sneakers.
The themed sneakers are available at retailers like Farfetch and Flight Club at starting prices of over $189.
4) Nike x Concepts
Nike went local for a collaboration in March 2022 as the brand teamed up with Boston-based boutique Concepts. The collaborative sneakers were built around the Air Max 1s and took inspiration from the cultural scene of the late ’60s and ’70s.
The sneakers were made with different fabrics featuring logos and emblems of music festivals, the hippies' movement, denim, paisley, and more. The classic sneakers can be found on the Farfetch web store at starting prices of over $310.
5) Off-White x Nike sneakers
Nike and Virgil Abloh from Off-White joined hands in August 2019 to create futuristic Waffle Racers. The sturdy streetwear that came in vivid sky (blue) and silver themes was crafted for style and speed.
They were made with translucent textiles and came with Electric Green laces and swooshes for a touch of glam. The Off-White x Nike Waffle Racers can be purchased from Farfetch and Flight Club at starting prices of over $251.
The limited-edition Nike sneakers are often in high demand among collectors and fly off the shelves in no time. Readers should check with authorized retailers to find their favorite pairs at the best prices.
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