Nike Is Bringing Back The Air Rift In The OG “Kenya” Colorway

Inspired by the barefoot runners of Kenya, named after a breathtaking land formation that connects Asia and Africa, and later adapted by fashionistas in Japan, the Air Rift has a nuanced history that deem it one of the more curiously exciting sneakers in Swoosh history.

A women’s exclusive sneaker release, the Air Rift is most notable recognized for its tabi-toe structure and sandal-like build. Despite a launch exclusively in the US and Europe, it caught the attention of the Far East and became one of the more sought-after items on the market. In 2010, the hysteria around the re-issue of the OG black/green proved that the Air Rift movement was as strong as ever.

While popular in the UK, it had its strongest bond with Japan, particularly the Harajuku street style scene. The Rift also became the subject of collaborations throughout the 2000s, like 2008’s Milkfed release and the obscure Artist Series design by Halle Berry (yes, her).

In recent years, Nike had quietly dropped the silhouette on store shelves, introducing updated and modified styles like the Air Rift Breathe that featured a platformed stance. NikeLab even removed the strap completely back in 2016. But soon enough, Nike will re-release the OG Kenya-inspired black/green/red colorway; these official images reveal a true-to-the-OG execution, a pleasant sight to purists who may have been forced to take a backseat as the brand explored alternate forms of the model.