The Nike Air Rift, a sandal-meets-sneaker hybrid, is making a comeback this summer. We strapped it on and present to you our first impressions!
The Nike Air Rift first set foot on the streets in 1996 and was Nike Running’s first foray into footwear that promoted natural motion. Its unique split-toe and stretch fit silhouette was inspired by barefoot Kenyan runners and the nation’s Great Rift Valley.
This summer, Nike brings back the Air Rift; the re-launched version stays close to the original design and features a textile-engineered mesh upper that allows ventilation and moisture absorption, with velcro closures on the heel and midfoot providing the wearer with a custom fit.
We gave the Nike Air Rift a try and here’s our first impressions: The Air Rift is indeed comfortable, but we recommend you go half to a full size up for a good fit. For those with wider feet, it might take a while to break the shoes in because the initial fit seems rather tight. We are impressed with the build quality and construction of the shoe, not to mention it does feel rather light.
The Nike Air Rift (available only in pink and black colorways) is set to drop on May 15th and will retail for S$159 at Nike Stores in Shaw Centre, Raffles City and Orchard Central.