Kim Kardashian's NikeSKIMS has spent most of 2026 putting its stamp on Nike's split-toe Rift. For its next footwear move, though, the label is digging a little deeper into the archive and coming back with a runner that has serious history behind it: the Waffle Racer.
The twist? NikeSKIMS has barely touched it. No reworked shape, no chunky new sole, no logos plastered across the side. Just three women's-exclusive colourways, a premium mix of materials and a whole lot of restraint.
Here's everything we know so far, including UK pricing.
A Closer Look at the NikeSKIMS Waffle Racer…
If you were expecting a big redesign, think again. The NikeSKIMS Waffle Racer sticks to the proportions and construction of the running shoe as it looked at the end of the 1970s. Low to the ground and refreshingly simple.
Up top, the nylon upper is layered with suede and leather overlays for that proper retro sports look. And here's the bit that'll please the purists: there are no extra graphics or prints anywhere on the upper. The only hint that this is a collab is a co-branded label on the tongue.
Underfoot, a foam midsole sits on top of the rubber Waffle outsole, the very feature that gives the silhouette its name. According to Nike, that pattern delivers durability and grip across different surfaces, so it should cope just fine with a soggy British pavement.
Each of the three colourways has its own character, so let's break them down.
'Baroque Brown' (IW3882-200)
Officially listed as Baroque Brown/Velvet Brown/Off-Noir/Velvet Brown, this is the darkest pair of the bunch. Several shades of brown are layered across the nylon, suede and leather for a tonal, low-key finish.
'Light Bone' (IW3882-002)
Light Bone/College Grey/Phantom/Varsity Red is the brightest of the three. A pale, almost off-white base keeps things clean, while a Varsity Red Swoosh adds a proper hit of colour.
'Thunder Blue' (IW3882-400)
Thunder Blue/Blue Eclipse/Coconut Milk/Muslin pairs deep blue with cream tones and a light Swoosh across the nylon.
NikeSKIMS hasn't cut corners on the packaging either. Every pair comes in its own dedicated shoebox, along with a dust bag and a spare set of laces.
Breakfast of Champions: Where the Waffle Sole Came From
You can't talk about the Waffle Racer without mentioning one of the most famous kitchen experiments in sneaker history.
Back in 1971, Nike co-founder and University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman was hunting for a sole that would grip the university's new synthetic track. His solution? Pouring liquid urethane into the family waffle iron, a wedding present he and his wife Barbara had received back in 1936.
The waffle iron was glued shut for good. The idea, however, stuck.
By November 1971, Oregon's cross-country team was wearing early waffle soles on the way to an NCAA title. The following summer, Bowerman and Geoff Hollister hand-built a small batch of prototypes, later nicknamed the Moon Shoe, for the US Olympic Trials in Eugene.
The Oregon Waffle arrived in 1973, followed by the Waffle Trainer in 1975. It became Nike's first big hit, with orders passing 100,000 pairs that year. Decades later, Nike still credits the waffle sole as a breakthrough that changed running, and the Waffle Racer carries that same DNA.
NikeSKIMS Has Had a Busy Year
The Waffle Racer caps off a packed year for the partnership. Nike and SKIMS first announced NikeSKIMS in February 2025 as a standalone sub-label with its own dedicated team, much like Jordan Brand within Nike. The debut collection followed in September 2025, focusing on training apparel, footwear and accessories for women.
January 2026 brought the label's first sneaker: the Rift Mesh, a sleek take on the split-toe Nike Rift in three monochrome colourways.
In February, BLACKPINK's LISA fronted the Spring '26 collection. The ballet-inspired campaign was shot in Paris, directed by Sergio Reis, and also introduced the Rift Satin.
A month later, Kim Kardashian stepped in front of the camera herself for the second spring drop, packed with bodysuits, sports bras, shorts and leggings.
Then, in late October, the Fall 2026 collection delivered NikeSKIMS' first-ever outerwear. Think Therma-FIT sherpa vests and jackets, plus a water-repellent 'Crunchy Nylon' line with a cropped jacket, a hooded parka, shorts and wide-leg trousers. University Red ran right through the drop, and the Rift Satin returned in Shadow Brown and University Red. The campaign starred the University of Alabama cheer team.
When Is the Drop Date?
The NikeSKIMS Waffle Racer is currently listed as 'Coming Soon' on Nike UK, priced at £109.99. An official UK release date has yet to be confirmed.
When it does land, expect pairs via Nike and the NikeSKIMS channel at SKIMS. We'll update this article as soon as we know more.
IMAGE CREDITS: NIKE
