Nike and Jordan Brand have churned out A LOT of sneaker designs over the years, some more unique than others. So, we’ve rounded up a few unique sneakers that we think stand out from the rest. Check out the list below.
Air Jordan 1 Low “Somos Eternos”
Sure, Día de los Muertos is a day that honours the dead, but it’s also lively, colourful, and full of symbolism. Jordan Brand seems to get this, as evidenced by their most recent release honouring the holiday. The Air Jordan 1 Low “Somos Eternos” combines pink, cream and baby blue colours with distinctive accents like an embossed sun logo on the tongue and cobblestone-textured Swooshes with perforations all around. This definitely isn’t your typical Jordan 1 Low design.
Air Max 1000
Nike took their Air Max 1 silhouette into the future with a fully 3-D printed (minus the sole unit) reimagining called the Air Max 1000. The shoe’s wavy patterns and textured tooling are inspired by the original AM1 upper, but it’s evolved into a unique slip-on style with a futuristic twist.
COMME des GARÇONS BLACK x Nike Field General 82
COMME des GARÇONS has reimagined the Nike Field General 82 with warped branding across a black leather upper. We’ll admit it looks a bit like a Nike Zebra, and not everyone will get the aesthetic, but it perfectly aligns with CDG’s style, and it’s definitely, uhm, unique.
Nike Air Force 1 “Invisible Woman 2.0”
One of the Swoosh Label’s upcoming AF1 designs taps into the translucent panel trend of the 2000s. The “Invisible Woman 2.0” combines a clear base with white overlays. We can honestly say that we haven’t seen clear panels in a long (long) time. Although the idea isn’t new, the execution is clean and modern.
Hyperice x Nike Recovery Boot
What if your shoes could massage and heat your feet while you walk? Well, that’s precisely what Nike’s new recovery boot with Hyperice does. The unique and futuristic look is bound to attract attention if you wear them out and about, but it’s a better option than having tired feet after a long day.
Nike Air Yeezy 2
A never-before-seen Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Silver/White” sample surfaced online this year, and it’s been serving as a nostalgic reminder of when Nike and Kanye were pushing the boundaries of the sneaker world. The model includes Hieroglyph-style images on the forefoot strap, glow-in-the-dark soles, and reptilian-inspired texturing. Ye has always been known for thinking outside the box, and this model is an excellent display of his creativity.
Nike Free Forward Moc N7
Another archival Nike silhouette to return this year is the Free Forward Moc N7 (part moccasin, part sneaker). This hybrid design was reintroduced as part of the Nike N7 line, which honours Indigenous communities. It’s one of the more unique (yet still stylish) moccasin-style sneaker designs we’ve seen.
J Balvin x Jordan 2 Retro (Friends and Family)
The Air Jordan 2 isn’t everyone’s favourite silhouette, but there are plenty of colourways that are undeniably unique. One such design was created in collaboration with Colombian musician J Balvin. The shoe sports a subtle cloud pattern, glowing green LEDs on the tongue, and a glow-in-the-dark outsole underneath. Not exactly what you’d expect from the dress shoe-inspired model.
Susan Fang x Nike V2K Run
Nike enlisted the help of Chinese Canadian designer Susan Fang to turn their V2K “dad shoe” into a Cinderella-style runner. She decorated the running shoe with bubble beads, florals, and whimsical details for a magical transformation. It almost looks as though she was inspired by the DIY bead and charm accessories that have been all over our sneaker feeds this year, which is exactly why we love them.
Verdy x Nike SB Dunk Low “Visty”
We’ve seen Nike sneakers covered in fuzzy textiles and Nike shoes dressed in corduroy material, but we rarely see both on one design, especially done up in pastel hues. The Verdy x Nike SB Dunk Low “Visty” is one of those sneakers that just makes you smile when you see it. It was inspired by artist Verdy’s plush monster, and the insole and hang tags include playful cartoon-style depictions of the creature.
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