“Weird. In a good way.”
That’s how Nike describes its upcoming Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit, a modernized take on the brand’s Air Sock Racer marathon shoe from 1986.
The original Air Sock Racer was designed by Bruce Kilgore — the same designer who also brought us shoes like the Air Force 1 and Air Jordan 2 — and was a precursor to many of Nike’s current technologies.
According to Nike, the Air Sock Racer’s four-way stretch-mesh upper foreshadowed the brand’s staple Flyknit knitting technique, while the marathon shoe’s versatile last helped pave the way for the Swoosh’s natural motion Free midsole.
More than three decades after debuting the original, Nike has reimagined the groundbreaking shoe in the form of the Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit. Its new knitted upper allows the shoe to be more breathable and supportive than before, and also allows for a wider range of color possibilities. Elsewhere, updates include a dual-density foam midsole and a Free-inspired outsole.
The Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit is set to debut in two colorways (yellow/black and a women’s exclusive white/black), and will be available beginning April 27 for a retail price of $130 from nike.com/snkrs and select retailers.
Watch on FN
Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit “Yellow Strike,” $130; nike.com
Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit Women’s white/black, $130; nike.com
Want more?
Nike Made LeBron James Shoes That Look Like the Mag from ‘Back to the Future’
Nike Is Releasing Flyknit Air Max Sneakers in Classic Colorways From the ’90s
Nike Just Released New Minimal Sneakers — and They’re Only $80
