Nike Air Rift

The Nike Air Rift is a running shoe that debuted in 1995. Inspired by runners in Kenya, the shoe name itself is inspired by Great Rift Valley that runs through the African country. It’s debut colorway also references the Kenyan flag with colors black, red, green, and white. The Air Rift is most recognized for its split-toe design that nods to Maison Margiela’s Tabi.

The Air Rift gained a huge cult following in Tokyo in the 1990s and has since risen as the exemplar of if-you-know-you-know sneakers. Sneaker collectors and fashionistas that area ahead of the curve have always loved the Air Rift.

In late 2024, Nike reintroduced the Air Rift in premium suede colorways while also dropping the original “Kenya” colorway exclusively overseas. In 2025, the Air Rift gained appeal to the mainstream women’s lifestyle movement.

Nike Air Rift

Nike Brings Botanical Stitching To The Air Rift

Inspired by the barefoot runners of Kenya, the Nike Air Rift from the 1990s has found new life among today’s young generation of consumers. Due...

By Andrew Rizzo July 11, 2025
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Nike’s Ballet-Themed Air Rift “Black Swan” Is Coming Soon

As “balletcore” fashion continues having its social media moment, Nike is once again giving the Air Rift a ballerina-inspired makeover. Revisiting a style first seen...

By Andrew Rizzo May 13, 2025
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Nike Adds Buckled Straps To The Air Rift

It doesn’t take a genius to understand why the Nike Air Rift has been getting more love as of late. Balletcore is the “it” aesthetic...

By Andrew Rizzo April 22, 2025
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Nike’s Tabi-Toed Air Rift Is Coming Soon In “Healing Orange”

Women’s lifestyle sneakers continue to shift to even slimmer and lower-profile proportions, with some even adopting the high-fashion Tabi-toe. Nike’s here to remind you that...

By Sneaker News March 23, 2025
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The Nike Air Rift Echoes Its Breathe Cut With Mesh Panelling

The fashion world has officially infiltrated the sneaker game. Though certainly there was already precedent for haute couture imprints putting their stamp on streetstyle, the...

By Matt Varga March 16, 2025
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Nike Rolls Out The Fashion-Minded Air Rift For A “Suede Pack”

Nike’s backlog is simply so expansive that most times, in order to meet the cyclical demands of fashion trends, all they need to do is...

By Matt Varga February 27, 2025
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The All-Leather Nike Air Rift Gets Doused In “Fire Red”

The tabi-toe Nike shoe inspired by the barefoot runners of Kenya is getting a classy upgrade for Holiday 2024. Traditionally comprised of elastics, the Air...

By Andrew Rizzo October 11, 2024
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Nike Remixes The Air Rift Into A Ballet Shoe

In the latest SNKRS showcase, Nike tacitly tipped off the Air Rift as an emphasized model down the stretch, unveiling two all-leather constructions as it...

By Matt Varga September 26, 2024
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Nike Is Releasing Premium Air Rifts For Women This Holiday Season

Gorpcore girls will love these. First teased during the most recent SNKRS Showcase, Nike is bringing back the Air Rift in two classy, contemporary black...

By Andrew Rizzo September 5, 2024
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