Nike Huarache

The Nike Huarache (whose name is derived from a type of leather sandal from Mexico) is another masterpiece conceived by the mind of Tinker Hatfield, a legendary designer from the Swoosh brand’s history. Introduced in 1991, the silhouette did away with the unnecessary aspects that had become all too common with sneakers of the time, such as over-the-top branding, and instead included only elements that would enhance its performance for running. The concept was inspired by Hatfield’s love of water skiing, with the use of the lightweight material neoprene being directly taken from the bootie of a slalom water ski. Though there was some initial scepticism, particularly around the lack of the brand’s synonymous swoosh, the Nike Huarache gained approval when used by 5,000 runners in the New York City Marathon. The close-fitting shoe hugged the foot, providing an unheard-of level of comfort and support. During the ’90s, the trainers received further positive reinforcements thanks to celebrities like Will Smith and Jerry Seinfeld, who wore them in television sitcoms The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Seinfeld, respectively.

Landing around 270 grams but not sacrificing any of its functional benefits, the Huarache is a shoe whose perks have mass appeal. It’s no surprise, then, that it was adopted by the basketball court, with the evolved Air Flight Huarache being worn by the University of Michigan’s ‘Fab Five,’ which included the likes of Chris Webber and Jalen Rose.

Nike Huarache Ultra

The focus on being lightweight has always been a prominent—and much appreciated—attribute of the Nike Huarache, but that hasn’t stopped the brand from trying to dream bigger, or rather lighter. In comes the Huarache Ultra, a new version of the classic sneaker that reworks the original upper, opting for leather, synthetics, and mesh for balanced performance and protection.