From colorways inspired by the Oregon Ducks to references to the Honolulu Marathon, a slew of Nike releases pays tribute to a handful of states and their cultural significance in the American sports scene and beyond. Next to follow this trend is the Nike Waffle One, which joins the “Exter Edition” Pack of sneakers honoring Nike’s first official employee and his arrival at Exeter, New Hampshire in 1974.
Jeff Johnson joined Nike almost half a century ago to help the then-fledgling shoe company innovate within Exeter’s vanishing local manufacturing industry. His solution was to collect excess waste materials from local vendors to create footwear in colors and materials never seen before. The Nike Waffle One “Exter Edition” channels Johnson’s creativity by incorporating a wild mix of colors and eco-conscious elements. It ditches its usual understated upper for a bold red mesh makeup. While the suede accents on the toe, heel, and lacestays are in black, the profile Swooshes and stacked heel piece all opt for neon shades. The Swooshes alternate between green and blue on each side, furthering the playfulness of the style. Mint and aqua used on the heel piece and sock liner respectively add more sharp tones to the mix. To round out the design, recycled Regrind rubber is applied under the foam midsole to embrace material innovation and sustainability.
Take a closer look at the Waffle One below, which is hitting Nike.com in the coming months.
For more eco-friendly footwear, check out the new Nike Space Hippie 04 “Purple Dawn.”
