The Best Nike x Supreme Collaborations Ever
The duo have been at it for the better part of two decades. Here's our favorite Supreme x Nike footwear collaborations throughout their long and illustrious history together.
Ever since its inception in 1994, Supreme has collaborated with many different entities from all walks of life. From high-end luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton to New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, their infamous red box logo has found a way to infiltrate seemingly unconnected markets.
While the streetwear label continues to pump out new items and partnerships on a weekly basis, one specific brand has been a staple throughout the past two decades: Nike. Since 2002, the duo has pushed out over 50 different footwear collaborations, some of which are heralded as all-time grails by sneakerheads and streetwear enthusiasts alike.
From the recent Supreme x Nike SB Dunk “Rammellzee” to the SB Dunk Low that started it all in 2002, we dug deep into the archives and picked out our favorites throughout the history of Supreme and Nike collaboration.
So in no particular order, the Best Nike x Supreme Collaborations (in our opinion):
■ Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Low (2002)
First and foremost, Supreme started as a skate brand before it evolved into the global fashion icon it is today. It’s no surprise that back in 2002 when the duo collaborated for the first time, it was on a Nike SB Dunk Low.
This was the one that started it all, mashing elements of basketball and skateboarding together. Taking inspiration from New York’s love for Jordans, Supreme cleverly incorporated the AJ3’s iconic elephant prints on the SB Dunk Low. Not only was it an instant hit back then, it’s often classified as one of the most sought-after grails among sneakerheads today.
There’s no doubt that this sneaker changed the landscape for both Nike SB and Supreme. It showcased the endless possibilities that Nike’s latest division could create, while reinstating the fact that Supreme is the coolest skate shop in town. The legacy of this collaboration is unparalleled in more ways than one.
■ Supreme x Nike SB Dunk High (2003)
Starstruck? This collaboration in 2003 will leave you starry-eyed, literally. There was a lot of expectation for this release considering it was the immediate follow-up to the SB Dunk Low the year before. It’s safe to say Supreme and Nike did not disappoint.
Digging into the Swoosh’s archives, something that would become a frequent occurrence for the next 20 years, the New York label took on the OG “Be True To Your School” Dunk campaign in 1985. Pulling out the “University Blue”, “Varsity Red”, and “College Orange” color schemes, Supreme slapped a myriad of gold stars on the mid-panel. It also featured the now-iconic gilded Supreme lace lock.
Once again, this Supreme x Nike SB Dunk High pack was a home run for the duo. So much so that in 2021, the design was revisited once more on the SB Dunk Low. They truly shot for the stars—and reached them.
■ Supreme x Nike SB Blazer (2006)
Completing the trifecta of “OG Nike x Supreme” sneakers, the 2006 Nike SB Blazers were a touch of class figuratively and literally. Uptooling the classic skate shoe with a more luxurious feel, Supreme transformed it to feature premium materials such as quilted leather uppers and faux snakeskin profile Swooshes.
The highlight of the shoe is the not-so-subtle Gucci-inspired checkerboard heel strip, painted in the luxury brand’s famous hues of red and green and topped off with a gilded metallic pull tab to boot. Not only did they elevate the entire look and feel of the shoes, it cemented these SB Blazers as one of the best Nike x Supreme collabs ever.
Just like the Supreme x Nike Dunk High “Stars” above, this Blazer was later re-visited in 2022 which featured a similar quilted upper and snakeskin profile Swooshes. Coming in both black and denim, they didn’t quite hit their mark like their OG compatriots did, which only further amplifies the lasting legacy of the 2006 pair.
■ Supreme x Nike Air Jordan 5 (2015)
Despite Supreme’s affiliation with the Swoosh being set in stone for over 13 years by the time of this release, the streetwear label has never worked with Jordan Brand prior. So, when the duo finally announced an upcoming project, you can only imagine the fanfare and virality it brought upon. After all, sneakers and streetwear were so closely related that Jordans were the most commonly-found sneakers among Supreme’s customers. It was only a matter of time before they collided.
What came as a bit of a surprise was the fact that Supreme chose to work on the Nike Air Jordan 5 instead of the 1s, 3s, or 4s. Once again, the streetwear giants showcased their knack for picking out less popular models and revitalizing them back into prominence. The result was three separate colorways, with the “Desert Camo” iteration being the most famous. This release dropped alongside a matching apparel collection, and quickly gained notoriety for its ’94 insignia and large “Sup” logo under the side netting. A statement piece, some would say.
■ Supreme x Nike Air More Uptempo (2017)
Speaking of statement pieces, what screams Supreme more than a red sneaker with white “SUPREME” text slapped across the entirety of the upper?
Coming in the aforementioned “White/Red”, “Metallic Gold”, and “Black” colorways, Supreme took on the polarising Nike Air More Uptempo and truly made it their own. They replaced the enlarged “AIR” words on the upper with “SUPREME” that wraps around the medial and lateral sides of the shoe. Some love it, others hate it, but everyone can unite on the fact that it’s excessively loud and on-point for the label. The perfect culmination of all things “hype” in that era.
■ Supreme x Nike Dunk “Rammellzee” (2023)
Supreme and Nike’s latest collaboration pays homage to visual artist Rammellzee. Coming in both SB Dunk High and Low versions, the sneakers feature white and black suede respectively with a canvas base, which showcases an artwork by the late artist. Colorful and intrinsic, it’s one of the more unique Supreme x Nike footwear collaborations when it comes to design.
Reportedly, Supreme NYC had to shut down their in-store release for the Supreme x Nike SB Dunk “Rammellzee” due to safety concerns. And with an aftermarket price that sits at around US$215 for the Highs and US$260 for the Lows, people understandably were head over heels for them.
■ Supreme x Nike Air Foamposite One (2014)
Here’s one that will turn heads. Nike Air Foamposite Ones aren’t as popular now as they were back then, so it might be a little hard to imagine the hype surrounding this release in 2014.
Originally debuted by Penny Hardaway in 1997, the Foamposites quickly took the sneakersphere by storm on and off the court. This one in particular featured gilded leaf-like motifs on their hard exterior shells. Needless to say, these Supreme x Nike Air Foamposite Ones were all the rage online and offline leading up to its release. So much so that the NYPD had to shut down Supreme Lafayette due to the chaos that surrounded the street. It was a wild time; one that was befitting of the sneaker’s unorthodox design.
■ Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 Low (2012)
There has been a plethora of Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 Lows by now, none more popular than the most recent white and black versions with the infamous red box logo on the heel. It’s somewhat surprising that Supreme only had its first Air Force 1 collaboration in 2012.
Not only was it the first Supreme AF1, it was also the label’s first non-Nike SB sneaker ever. It does however retain some of its skate inspirations, especially evident with the gum outsoles presented underfoot. Three colorways were presented in the form of “Black”, “Olive”, and “Camouflage”, with all three carrying waterproof NYCO military fabric. Once again, it’s a relatively simple design, but one that screams OG Supreme AF1s at its core.
■ Supreme x Nike Air Max 98 (2016)
As mentioned with the AJ5 above, Supreme loves working with less-popular models. They’ve done so similarly the year after when it comes to the Air Max range, with the streetwear giants selecting the Nike Air Max 98 as compared to the 1s, 90s, or 95s. At the time, the 98s were on somewhat of a hiatus, adding more to the surprise factor behind the selection.
Nonetheless, Supreme exercised their penchant for design by releasing four different colorways, the most prominent being the “Snakeskin” iteration. Dressing the 98’s upper entirely in Nike’s signature animal print, the 98 isn’t exactly loud by any means nor is it that expensive when you put it alongside the others on this list. But, there’s a certain subtle beauty around it. Expect a curt nod or two when you walk by sneakerheads in the know.
■ Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 Low x Comme Des Garcons (2018)
By the time 2018 swung around, Supreme and Nike collaborations were a mainstay for both the brands and their fans. Every season, fans would eagerly await news and leaks about what the duo were cooking up next. What happens when you mix a legendary Japanese name into the concoction?
2018’s Fall/Winter season saw Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garcons SHIRT jump into the fray. This was actually their second project together, with a white pair releasing a year prior. While it lacked the novelty of being the first, the second attempt made up for it with a minimalistic yet stunning design. The Air Force 1 Low featured full black leather uppers with a split profile Swoosh down its side, with CDG and Supreme’s names etched on the heel. With a split box logo tee to accompany the sneaker, it has quickly turned into one of Nike and Supreme’s most complete collaborations ever.
■ Special Mention: Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 Low (2020)
Perhaps the most popular Nike x Supreme collaboration by far is the most polarizing one of them all: the Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 Low that was released in 2020. Coming in white and black, these were pretty much the most simple Nike x Supreme shoes ever. Not a lot has been changed when compared to a regular Air Force 1 Low, with the addition of a Supreme red box logo on the heel and matching laces to boot.
It’s also probably the easiest and cheapest pair you could grab out of this list, given that it has restocked basically every single season. Love it or hate it, one can’t deny that the Supreme Air Force 1 has shown how big of a brand Supreme has grown into since the 2000s. With a “Baroque Brown” confirmed to be dropping this FW23 season, expect these to remain a mainstay between the duo for collections to come.
While they’re not mentioned in this list, other entries such as the Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 High (2014), the SB Dunk Low “Red Cement” (2012), or even the lesser-known Zoom Streak Spectrum (2018) all carry a special significance in the duo’s constantly expanding history. What’s certain is the fact that Nike and Supreme have done it all over the past 21 years, and will continue to do so for many more to come.
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