Jovani Hernandez The idea of virtual sneakers and other fashion items may not be accepted by the sneaker collecting community-at-large, but players in the space such as RTFKT and Nike are addressing this concern with programs like Cryptokicks iRL, which bring designs from the Web3 space into real life.
In late September, co-founders of RTFKT–the digital studio acquired by NIKE, Inc. in mid-December 2021–previewed the company’s first foray into bringing its digital work into tangible form by rocking the Nike Adapt Platform to SneakerCon. The first installment of Cryptokicks iRL feature a design similar to the other Adapt propositions the Swoosh developed for performance basketball, but RTFKT’s offering replaces traditional Nike branding with RTFKT’s logos. One of four launch color combinations boasts a light grey and blue scheme that evokes the Nike Mag, a connection backed by a recent image of RTFKT co-founder, Steven “Zaptio” Vasilev, posing with the Cryptokicks iRL “Ice” while next to Tinker Hatfield holding the Back to the Future-associated silhouette.
According to the RTFKT Cryptokicks iRL Lookbook website, the first native Web3 sneaker will also debut in “Space Matter,” “Stone,” and “Blackout” colorways. Each pair features auto-lacing capabilities, wireless charging, and a number of other features enabled and unlocked with the RTFKT iRL app.
Keep a close eye on the RTFKT Cryptokicks iRL Lookbook website between now and Wednesday, December 7th, as that’s when a public draw registration begins. Private minting begins on Monday, December 12th, while the Public Minting process commences on Wednesday, December 14th.
RTFKT Cryptokicks iRL “Ice”
Color: White
Style Code: FJ3883-100
RTFKT Cryptokicks iRL “Space Matter”
Color: Multi-color
Style Code: FJ3883-103
RTFKT Cryptokicks iRL “Stone”
Color: Oatmeal
Style Code: FJ3883-001
RTFKT Cryptokicks iRL “Blackout”
Color: Black
Style Code: FJ3883-002
