Recently, we’ve showcased some awe-inspiring sneaker designs that take a cue from the beauty of nature. Remarkable cloud-inspired sneakers splashed with vibrant blues and whites, forest-themed styles featuring earthy browns and fresh greens, and even exquisite sneakers dyed to mimic the magical hues of the setting sun. Clearly, nature’s beauty is playing a significant role in shaping the aesthetics of footwear designs. This trend continues with the Air Jordan 1 “Terrarium” by Nicholas Reynolds, a brilliant mix of earthy shades and textures inspired by the look and feel of a terrarium… buuuuut with a slight catch.
What Even is a Terrarium?
Sadly, not all of us are gifted with green fingers, and technical terms like “terrarium” might as well be Greek to us. So, if you’re one of those people, it’s absolutely fine. All you need to understand is that a terrarium is essentially a cosy, mini representation of Mother Nature’s lushness, often contained within a small, sunlight-friendly enclosure.
This little garden can house a diverse array of plants along with unique decorations that enhance the texture. But the interesting part is it can also provide a home for various critters, including reptiles like snakes. It’s essentially this textured and earthy display of plant life and its slithery inhabitants that has been beautifully captured in the Air Jordan 1 “Terrarium.
The Air Jordan 1 “Terrarium” Custom Sneaker Design
The Air Jordan 1 “Terrarium” kicks off with a black base to replicate the dark setting of a terrarium’s soil. Most of the sneaker is covered with smooth leather. However, to add some contrasting texture, touches of tumbled leather have been cleverly incorporated into the ankle flap and the lower eyestays. This isn’t to say that tumbled leather is the only texture offered on the shoe—quite the contrary.
The toe box, collar, and lower eyestay flap are adorned with a bumpy, spotted texture in lush, dark green. This surface is treated to a glossy finish, mimicking moss’s damp, shiny appearance within a terrarium.
From there, bright green spots adorning the toe cap and upper eyestays amplify the design’s visual appeal. This striking detail is complemented by neon green Swooshes that resemble venomous snakes. The distinctive snake-inspired Nike logo is crafted from acrylic, a material that also graces the tongue and heel of the shoe.
The acrylic tongue label features a snake imprint, while the heel presents another unique texture – potentially scales, though it’s difficult to make out due to the angle of the images.
The sneaker is also decorated with other special design features, such as copper accents on the wings badge and eyelets and an intriguing lattice design on the black laces. The design finishes with a black midsole and a matching black rubber outsole, reflecting the sneaker’s overall stylish and edgy look.
Reynolds has once again created a unique and visually striking sneaker that perfectly speaks to the beauty and mystery of the natural world—a theme he seems to be quite drawn to. You only need to scroll through the custom artist’s feed to spot other amazing designs inspired by nature.
Securing Your Custom Air Jordan 1 “Terrarium” Sneaker Pair
As for the Air Jordan 1 “Terrarium,” Reynolds states on his latest Instagram post that this design was dropped some time ago. However, the sneaker artist also mentions that he is open to replicating the style.
His pricing starts at $400 USD and can go up based on the complexity of the design. So, if you are interested, don’t hesitate to send him a direct message at @shoebaker_atl.
Another great nature sneaker option is the Air Jordan 4 “Forest”.
What’s your thoughts on the Air Jordan 1 “Terrarium”? Would you rock this unique sneaker style?