When Nike was still in its infancy, the company created two timeless silhouettes for its admittance into the sneaker industry. The first was the Nike Cortez: a minimalistic icon that would gain popularity on and off the track and become one of the most lauded shoes of all time. The brand’s other offering, the Waffle Trainer, was introduced as a stylish, track-oriented example that would brandish one of the most uncanny grip patterns ever devised.
While the Waffle Trainer didn’t accrue the large, boisterous following of its sibling, it became a classic in its own right. Like the Cortez, it was crafted by Nike’s co-founder, Bill Bowerman, as a conceptual trainer — earning its ironic name through an abnormal experiment that left his wife’s Belgian waffle iron in a state of disrepair. While the original shoe was released all the way back in 1977, the newest iteration — now called the Waffle Racer — has been revised for modern consumers, offering a retro nylon/suede upper, memory foam sock liner, and a dual-density foam midsole for all-day comfort. The heritage sneaker is available now via Nike’s website for $85.
