Nike is the world’s most demanded sports brand with a revenue of $49.1 billion. This number suggests that there's no person in developed countries that doesn't own at least a pair of Nike sneakers or other Nike sports gear. When it comes to footwear, Nike shoes are comfortable, easy to wear, stylish and suitable for urban and sports activities. Nike sneakers are great for walking, hiking, running, and urban strolls in the city. Before you head to shopping for your next pair of Nike, here are the most popular models on the market.
History
Nike's story begins when Bill Bowerman and Phill Knight joined forces together. Bowerman was a track and field coach at The University of Oregon and Knight was his student. Bowerman wanted to create optimising athletic footwear and running shoes for performance, so he started attempting to make various models after picking up some tips and tricks from a local shoemaker. On January 25th 1964, Bowerman and Knight founded Blue Ribbon Sports, a Eugene Oregon-based footwear company.
The company used to operate out the back of a car at track meets. Then they started working as a distributor of various imported shoes, mainly Onitsuka Tiger. Knight loved the quality of these shoes and saw them as a breath of fresh air, compared to the mainly German athletic footwear that domineered the market. Knight and Bowerman were Ontisuka's only distributors in the USA before a rise in competition led the men to consider various ideas for conquering the market. Officially, in 1971 Nike was born launched its trainers.
How Nike Got Its Name?
The company changed the name of Blue Ribbon Sports to Nike, after Jes Johnson (the company’s first ever employee) suggested the brand is called Nike, after the winged Greek goddess of victory. The iconic logo was designed by Carolyn Davidson, a student at Portland University (she designed the logo when the company still had no name).
The First Nike Shoe
The very first Nike sneakers, also known as the "Moon Shoe" were made in Bowerman's waffle iron. The waffle sole design occurred when Bill Bowerman was eating breakfast and wondered if the grooves in his waffle could work for more traction when playing sports. After a few test runs of the waffle iron, the Waffle Trainer was made. Surprisingly it had instant success thanks to its grippy and performance-driven design. The prototype model was considered to be the first Nike shoe (the prototype shoes were sold at Sotheby's for almost $450,000).
Top Nike Shoes to Have in Your Shoe Closet
Air Force 1
The classic Air Force 1 is one of the most (consistently) popular Nike shoes of all time and one of the best sneakers ever made for collectors. The comfortable, unisex model can be worn with almost any outfit and for almost any occasion. Nike often offers limited editions, collabs, retros or premium pairs, but nothing tops the classic model (entirely black or white) Nike shoes. The great thing about this model is that they are quite affordable, making them popular with many people.
Air Jordan 1
The Air Jordan 1 is perhaps one of the most hyped-up Nike sneakers. Collectors and sneaker fans adore this model, so if you wonder what Nike shoes to get as a first pair to your collection, go for this one. This model comes in a wide range of colours and mid and cut models.
Nike Dunk
The Nike Dunk is another popular model that comes in many variations such as limited edition collabs, retro or OG colours from 1985 or a random general release. The dunks are popular to this day and if you're a first-time buyer stick to basic colours like black-white, white-red, and white-blue combos. For those of you who love a splash of colour, feel free to choose a model with several colours. These are unisex models that ooze with the extra-urban vibe. Match these Nike with simple outfits such as jeans and t-shirts, but also feel free to wear them with something more chick and fashionable such as dresses, trousers and crop tops.
Nike Waffle One
Nike Waffle One is one of the most searched models of shoes at the moment. Their design is partly designed on the Waffle Trainer 2 but upgraded. They come in numerous colours, but their charm lies in the retro look. They're perfect for running, but feel free to wear them for your urban strolls, school, and for your casual dress code at work. The great thing is that they're affordable as well.
Nike Blazer
If you're into minimalist style, the Nike Blazer will match your taste. It has clean lines and a sleek design making these shoes perfect to wear with dress trousers or jeans. This street-style icon offers comfort and durability, with a super-soft collar and a solid rubber sole. You can find ankle-top, mid-top and platform styles; the Nike Blazer is customizable so you can create the ideal everyday shoes for your style. Perfect for your sports activities, but also for laidback urban street style, these shoes won't fail your expectations regards to comfort, support and design.
