There is no shortage of varying reactions you’ll get to hearing Drake’s name, let alone a Drake song, but his prevalence in pop culture remains undeniable, not to mention unavoidable. While the world-renowned artist has partnered with Nike’s subsidiary in Air Jordan on numerous occasions, his collaborative line with the Oregon-bred staple brand is just getting started. NOCTA, short for ‘nocturnal creative process,’ has just released the Hot Step Air Terra, its first sneaker yet.
Boasting smooth, early ’00s-inspired leather uppers and 3M accents for enhanced visibility, the relatively chunky kicks adhere to the world of high-fashion sportswear in every which way. The Air Terras sit on a Nike Air midsole for added comfort and cushion, as well as a rubber outsole that boasts G-Tek traction to provide some technically enhanced grip and serve as a tribute to the Air Terra Humara. Then, they are embellished with NOCTA’s signature logo on the tongue and bright yellow accents throughout.
The Hot Step’s sleek, minimalist makeup shouldn’t come as much of a surprise when considering Jeremy Karl sat at the helm of the process. Though the designer may not be a household name, his portfolio consists of both Arc’Teryx System_A collections, proving he knows his way around quality techwear. Moreover, these shoes garner a huge inspiration from technical attire, as the NOCTA line generally takes from elements adherent to London and Toronto’s streetwear scene. Say what you want about Drake, but the Canadian mogul sure knows how to maneuver through frigid climates.
And while it seems as though there are far too many celebrity sneaker collaborations crowding up the market, that is simply the world we find ourselves in nowadays. Nike’s NOCTA Hot Step Air Terra is now available on END. for $175.
