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Vintage reissues are popular in the sneaker community for a reason. They give modern-day enthusiasts a chance to own an iconic or limited pair of shoes that were previously out of print. Nevertheless, there’s something to be said about looking ahead to see what the next icon will be. And nobody is better at looking ahead than Nike.
Nearly breaking the internet when it was leaked a few weeks ago, the athletic giant’s Ava Rover is set to be the new classic sneaker along the lines of the Dunk and the Air Max. Not that there’s been any debate whether or not Nike has the most versatile arsenal of designs and styles in their current (and past) catalog, but the new shoe might just be the brand’s most futuristic. However, not at the expense of utility and technology.
Debuting in Black/Muslin and Fossil/Cosmic Clay, the Ava Rover will certainly stand out on your feet with its geometric texturing and block pattern across the translucent mudguard, which evokes pixelated 8-bit video games while distorting the color underneath. Enhancing the 3D effect, the chunky sole continues the wavy pattern from the mudguard, creating stark contrast with the upper color above it.
Combining the worlds of lifestyle and streetwear, the sneaker is effectively a city shoe with performance tech built in. This means the midsole features a stacked ReactX — Nike’s superstar foam that’s been implemented in their latest running shoe models for its improved responsiveness — and a grippy ultralight rubber outsole with rectangular tread helps you maintain traction on pavement. Wrapping your foot is a lightweight upper with a porous top section to help ventilate your feet throughout the day. We love the minimal branding here, which reminds us a lot of the Air Max 95.
Priced at $140, the Ava Rover is now available from Nike’s website in both launch colorways.
