The Nike Moon Shoes, Worn At 1972 Olympic Trials, Is Up For Auction

Direct from the wearer's collection.

Matt Varga July 29, 2024

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Everybody has an origin story. While the image of Nike as a multi-billion dollar industry leader is hard to remove, fifty years ago, the Swoosh operation was far more humble. Nike famously began close to home, fashioning together simplified footwear in attempts to bolster a unifying love for running. One of the first shoes made for that purpose, the proto Waffle Racer AKA the “Nike Moon Shoes,” is now up for auction.

Hand-cobbled and sporting the square-shaped, waffle-iron-crafted traction underfoot, part of what makes these such an intriguing piece of history is how they represent those humble beginnings. Only 12 pairs were ever made. One remains forever displayed at Nike HQ, while a few of the remaining have hit the market in the past few years, each eliciting widespread coverage that speaks to their rarified importance. The “game worn” quality of this pair adds an additional element, and the original owner reflected on his experience with the Nike Moon Shoes:

I remember receiving a notice that a store was giving away a pair of new shoes to the runners in the marathon. I went to a house near the stadium in Eugene. Went into the basement where they had a shoe store and a setup for making the shoes. They measured my feet and said that I could come back in a day or two and pick up the shoes. They asked us to wear the shoes in our races at the trials. I ran the marathon and finished with two very sore, blistered and bloody feet. I finished in 12th place.
-Paul Talkington

Similar previous auctions have hovered around the $100,000 mark, but a listing for an unused pair in 2019 closed at over four times that price tag. Whether that lofty figure will be reached by this iteration is to be seen, especially given that sale occurred at a high point in both sneaker and collecting culture. Should you want a further history lesson, or if you’ve got six figures burning a hole in your pocket, check out the listing here. Bidding begins on August 17th and is fully open to the public.

: Nike Moon Shoes Goldin Auctions

: Nike Moon Shoes Goldin Auctions

: Nike Moon Shoes Goldin Auctions

: Nike Moon Shoes Goldin Auctions

: Nike Moon Shoes Goldin Auctions

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Written by

Matt Varga, Junior Editor

Matt Varga is an Editor at SneakerNews. Initially earning a degree in Video Arts and Technology, he got his start in video editing and writing in the music world — primarily on hip-hop and electronic. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switching over to footwear. An avid collector, his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to either the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Laney,” his first ever pick-ups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, attending concerts and when weather permits, on the handball court.