Can Nike’s New $75 Women’s Sneaker Stop the Samba?
The Adidas Samba buzz may have cooled off a bit since 2023, when the sneaker was named Shoe of the Year at the FN Achievement Awards, but the low-profile trend is still permeating to the brand’s other archive models such as the SL 72. The hype even stretched to other brands such as Puma, which has found a hit in the Formula 1-fueled Speedcat model. And Nike has repeatedly come for a piece of the pie, with recent releases like the Killshot 2 Premium and this upcoming women’s-exclusive model poised to take a chunk of the market space.
The upcoming women’s Nike Pacific sneaker was shared on social media by @brandon1an, who adds that the shoe is set for a 2025 release date at a retail price of $75.
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The design of the Nike Pacific appears to keep costs down by using little tech and budget materials; its no-frills construction combines nylon and suede with what is presumably a synthetic leather. Its thin midsole likely forgoes Nike’s proprietary Air tech in favor of a solid foam, while its gum rubber tread curls up at the toe and heel for an on-trend aesthetic.
While the Nike Pacific is technically a new model, it’s derivative of many of the brand’s 1970s-era sneakers including the Oregon Waffle. Also in Samba-adjacent releases, Nike in 2024 released two Astrograbber collaborations with New York-based clothing company Bode.
As for Adidas itself, the brand is still putting energy behind the Samba, but it has also shifted attention to elevate similar models including the aforementioned SL 72, the Gazelle, and most recently, the Superstar, which is set to receive a continued push in 2025.
The Nike Pacific is set to be released exclusively in women’s sizing during early ’25 for a retail price of $75. Readers can expect the Pacific to launch in several colorways throughout the year.
