It’s hard to believe that Nike’s Foamposite shoe line is twenty-three years old and still thriving. Back in 1997, the Foamposite Pro was ahead of its time with a futuristic design that many thought was impossible to achieve. The shoe looked otherworldly, and putting it together required the genius of Nike’s designers. Nike’s Air Foamposite Pro hasn’t deviated from the original but we are getting a new colorway white/black/red/.
It’s the ugly shoes that have stood the test of time. The inspiration came from a beetle, and we can see its influence running throughout the shoe with armor-like shaping and contours, metallic and aerodynamic features.
The Foamposite Pro wasn’t a welcomed addition to the sneaker industry. Many thought the plastic-reliant series would ruin shoe design with its bad example but as we see many shoe companies have taken inspiration from the Foamposite line, imitating its use of plastic-based materials. So sneaker the industry hasn’t died because of Nike’s Foamposite line. It has thrived with the creative use of materials and pushing boundaries
There’s more to the original Foamposite Pro that meets the eye. In fact, Nike approached TV and car making company Daewoo for the formula for the shoe. Creating the seamless upper wasn’t easy but required some technical know-how. The uppers started as liquid and then was poured into molds. But here’s the really technical part, the material is made at 130-175 degrees. And here’s the crazy part, the mold cost $750,000. Yikes!
The midsoles had to be 5 times stronger than what was expected from transitional because of Nike’s revolution shoe. Methods had to be revamped to match the shoe’s technicality. It’s success inspired more revolutionary endeavors later on in the shoe industry.
And here’s another thing. The Foamposite had a rough start at a hefty $170-$180 price tag, which back in the day was unusual. Well, they paid 750,000 for the mold, so that somewhat explains it.
The shoe line itself was unusual and too new to justify that kind of price tag. Even with Penny Hardaway’s time playing with the new brand, it took a while for sneaker fans’ hearts to warm up to the Foamposite line, and now it’s huge.
The new Foamposite Pro tri-colored shoes dropping soon has a futuristic glimmer to it. White overlays most of the shoe, pull tabs, laces, collars, mesh tongue, and upper shell. In polar opposite black leather runs around the ankles, heel, going around the lace area. A minor university red swoosh rests on the toe lateral. The white uppers have a chrome-like finish.
Grab a pair on March 5th at a price tag of $230, released by Nike Basketball.
Written By: Craig Volney