Ugly perfection… Catch Our Rift? | Nike Air Rift

If you’re a fan of unconventional silhouettes and steering away from mainstream trends of Samba’s and Panda Dunk’s, the Swoosh has just the antidote. Enter – the Nike Air Rift. Boasting a unique design that definitely won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, these ‘90s derived kicks are back for a contemporary revival. Harvesting a cult following of experimental fashionistas over the years, there’s more than what meets the eye with this marmite silhouette. Allow us to re-introduce the model, alongside the details of the latest offering.

A Brief History

The Air Rift is one of the Swoosh’s less talked about retros, despite its rich heritage. Named after Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, the model was released during 1996, the early days of Nike’s experimental designs, like the Air Huarache and Air Max Plus. Intended to imitate running barefoot, the Air Rift draws inspiration from Japanese tabi footwear designs that feature a split toe to encourage increased natural motion. Dropping in and out of the scene over the last decade, the shoe has often lived in the shadows. But, with authentic style identity encouraged more and more regularly across social media, we’ve got a hunch that it’s just a matter of time for a surge in popularity. 

A Closer Look at the Nike Air Rift Triple Black (HF5389-001)…

In the latest iteration, the Air Rift undergoes an entirely black exterior. Synthetic materials dress the upper, providing a featherweight appeal that’s ideal for easy steppin’. Ensuring unparalleled comfort and cushioning on the move, the model’s Phylon midsole bases the silhouette, flaunting a subtle shine that compliments the velcro-strap. Of course, it’s not an Air Rift without the defining split-toe, injecting the unique persona that we all know and love (or hate).

The Swoosh are yet to confirm the release of this Nike Air Rift, so stay locked to our socials @thedropdate for updates as and when we have ‘em. In the meantime, shop the available Air Rift shoes on Nike via the banner below…