Space and extra-terrestrial exploration have frequently served as inspiration for great sneaker releases. From the iconic “Galaxy” Foamposite One to LeBron James‘ legendary “Big Bang” LeBron 9s, an outer-space vibe has proven time and time again that it can give a sneaker a little extra touch of character. The latest company to bring outer space to earth in the form of footwear is Amsterdam’s Mercer, a high-end brand known for their “street luxury” look. And they’re not just doing any old space shoe: they’ve officially collaborated with NASA for a special sneaker inspired by Apollo 11, the legendary 1969 mission that put man on the moon for the first time ever.
The shoes draw obvious inspiration from a US astronaut suit, as a white mesh is used for the base while premium white leather is the material of choice for the overlays. A shiny silver midfoot piece boasts a NASA logo hit, and colorful suit-style detailing is provided via red laces and a blue heel cage. For a finishing touch, the exact coordinates of the Kennedy Space Center—the location that Apollo 11 was launched from—appear on the mudugard. The shoes also come packaged in a special carrying case that’s ready for space travel, lined with foam and featuring a mission statement and silver bag—a nod to the freeze-dried food astronauts often eat on their missions. These special shoes will be available on Mercer’s website and at their Amsterdam pop-up September 28th and are limited to a run of only 96 pairs, so you’ll need to be quick if you want to secure one for yourself. Enjoy a first look at the real-life moon boots below, and let us know what you think of this interesting collaborative effort.
NASA x Mercer W3RD
Release Date: August 28, 2018
€250
Images: Mercer Amsterdam