Nike Air Rift Breathe

The American firm presents the Nike Air Rift Breathe, a disruptive shoe whose original design dating back to 1996 - combining a sneaker with a sandal - caught the attention of Kenyan long-distance runners, who dominated competitions in those years.

Traditionally, these elite athletes trained barefoot in the pits of the Great Rift Valley, a practice represented in the Air Rift toe, allowing for natural articulation between the runner's first and second toes.

The final anatomical improvement introduced provided a stable platform that allowed for a more natural stride, while the Air-Sole in the heel era responsible for providing cushioning. Over the following years, the silhouette went from being flashy to becoming iconic and an influence on the American brand's future designs, such as Nike Free.

The perfect summer sneaker

Now, on its 20th birthday, the silhouette continues to be eye-catching with the new Air Rift Breathe, which features an upper made of highly breathable mesh, making it an ideal sneaker for the summer season.