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Nike Skims, a significant partnership between sportswear giant Nike and Kim Kardashian’s trending brand Skims, has just become a hot topic in the footwear world. As of January 26th at 10am EST, you can officially purchase the co-branded Rift Mesh shoes for $150 on both skims.com and nike.com. This has been the talk of the footwear community for the past few weeks, with Skims filling up waitlists as soon as this stepper was first announced.
In short, the Nike Skims Rift Mesh is well worth your attention, and will only be available online for a limited time before the inevitable “out of stock” notification pops up. This notice is the exact same one that inspired similarly viral Skims products, including the Seamless Sculpt Face Wrap and Faux Hair Tongs. The style’s biggest feature is, without a doubt, that tabi construction popularized last year by crowds who reimagined the Maison Margiela Tabi circa 1988 or succumbed to other split-toe silhouettes from brands like Woodchuck Sato. Hoof-adjacent fashion, however, is by no means a modern invention, originating in 15th century Japan in the form of split-toed socks that were often attached to kimonos. Who would have thought that a work like this would one day receive the Skims treatment?
NikeSkims’ Rift Mesh is reminiscent of some of the “sneaker” products that ran alongside the recent balletcore craze, and is available in three colorways: black, velvet brown, or bright archaeo brown. If color trends are any indication, we think Archio will sell out first, but Kardashian herself was pushing an all-black iteration with an outfit punctuated by semi-sheer leggings, a Nike Skims zip-up, and a shiny leather jacket sourced from Phoebe Philo, so it’s safe to say that all three shades will eventually go the way of the dodo.
NikeSkims Rift Mesh Shoes Black
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $150
NikeSkims Rift Mesh Shoes Velvet Brown
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $150
NikeSkims Rift Mesh Shoes, Archaeo Brown
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $150
Designed to provide better foot articulation, with a secure fit thanks to a single front strap, a barefoot-like feel thanks to the shoe’s low-pro midsole, and mesh-based ventilation, the Lift Mesh is an item that will easily take you from the Pilates studio to your lunch date, leaving you both memorable and ready to move. Passersby may not be able to spot the subtle co-branded touches on the straps or high-traction outsoles, but they’re still noticeable. know Sneakers when they saw it.
“The Rift is more than just a shoe; it’s a ’90s icon that women around the world have fallen in love with. Working with Nike, we focused on creating a minimalist, sophisticated, and flattering version,” Kardashian said in a press release.
Of course, she was referring to Nike’s OG Rift model, which had a bigger influence on the design codes of this NikeSkims category expansion than any previous Maison Margiela number. According to Nike, the Nike Air Rift, introduced in 1996, paid homage to the fault lines of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley by featuring a segmented upper. In addition, it intentionally has a second skin-like feel, “Opinions from Kenyan barefoot long-distance runners.”
Re-released in 2015, the Nike Air Rift quickly found its way into the shoeboxes of everyone from Jennifer Lawrence to Sarah Jessica Parker (who said yes to this funky innovation even earlier in the 2000s). Just by looking at the relevant paparazzi photos once, you can effectively decide how to style your NikeSkims when you purchase them. Lawrence, for example, opted for an urban-cool ensemble of a loose graphic T-shirt, bucket hat, and bright red sweats, while SJP went formal with a cable-knit sweater, scarf, and rolled-up green bottoms.
It’s only a matter of time before 2026 fashion insiders start showing off their lifted mesh acquisitions on workout looks, denim and wool coat combos, and even dresses come spring. Is there one hard and fast rule to follow in this case? Wrong shoe theory. What you wear on your feet is juxtaposed with what you wear on your body to create a rebellious visual narrative.
You’re already halfway there with this NikeSkims Rift Mesh drop.
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NikeSkims Rift Mesh Shoes Black
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $150
NikeSkims Rift Mesh Shoes Velvet Brown
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $150
NikeSkims Rift Mesh Shoes, Archaeo Brown
Prices on the date of publication of this article: $150
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