Every Halloween for the past two decades, Nike has been releasing some of the scariest sneakers and most terrifying trainers that the world has ever seen. From the Air Force 1 Low to the SB Dunk, some of the American sportswear company’s biggest and best silhouettes have all received the menacing makeover.
But, with literally hundreds of petrifying pairs out there, it’s hard to find out which kicks are the creepiest. To make it easier to keep track of them all, Captain Creps has highlighted some of the spookiest shoes ever made. While some of these are extremely limited (to the point you’ll probably never be able to cop unless you decided that you no longer needed your left kidney), others haven’t even released yet. So, let’s get to it!
There’s no way you can talk about the spookiest Halloween sneakers without giving the Nike SB Dunk Low “Freddy Krueger” a special shoutout. Originally meant to release as part of 2007’s “Horror Pack,” they were unfortunately cancelled because the production company for A Nightmare on Elm Street sent a cease and desist to Nike. According to the myths and the legends, most pairs were destroyed, but a handful still managed to make their way to some retailers. If you really want these in your rotation, then expect to pay over £100,000 for your size.
Next stop, we have one of the late and great Virgil Abloh’s best sneakers ever: the Off-White x Nike Blazer Mid “Grim Reaper.” Launched as part of the very appropriately-named “Spooky Pack,” this pair is completely submerged in a “Triple Black” colour palette and is contrasted by a scythe-like Swoosh that glides across the lateral and medial sidewalls. With this being an Off-White collab, you’ll find all of the deconstructed bells and whistles here. From the zip-tie that’s attached on the laces to the exposed foam tongue, there’s nothing else quite like it even after all this time.
While the Nike Air Jordan 4 “Black Cat” wasn’t originally intended to be a Halloween trainer, many still consider it to be one of the best ones out there. Inspired by Michael Jordan’s nickname, it’s dipped in a stealthy all-black palette and is completely covered in buttery suede throughout. Netting features across the lateral and medial sidewalls, and all of this sits on top of a chunky Air midsole. Originally released in 2006, the “Black Cat” received a long-awaited restock in 2020 in its original shape and form. If you’re into Air Jordans, this is a must-own.
During the height of SB Dunk hype, the Beaverton-based brand was dropping banger after banger (after banger), and the Nike SB Dunk Low “Mummy” was one of them. One of the most unique colourways of all-time, it lets go of the usual all-leather upper in favour of a canvas construction that’s been made to look like a series of bandages – a nod to the Ancient Egyptian monster. A pair of eerie eyes feature around the heels, and just in case that wasn’t creepy enough already, the Zoom Air midsole actually glows in the dark.
One of Nike’s newest Halloween sneakers, the Nike Air Force 1 Low “Jack-o’-Lantern” is packed full of dreadful details. Featuring a slick all-black colour scheme, the classic smooth leather has been replaced with a faux snakeskin texture that’s sure to slither into every collection very soon. The rubber outsole is decorated with a ghoulish green hue, and the pièce de résistance is the stainless steel jack-o’-lantern dubrae that has been made specifically for this release. This pumpkin-inspired theme extends towards the insoles, which are printed with a custom graphics that sends shivers down our spines.
If you didn’t manage to cop the SB Dunk Low “Freddy Krueger” back in 2007 and you’d rather keep both of your kidneys and a roof over your head, the Nike Air Max 95 “Freddy Krueger” was made with you in mind. Dressed in canvas, mesh, and hemp, it features red and beige striping that’s a direct reference to the fictional killer’s signature fit. Blood red Air bubbles make their way across the chunky midsole, and to round it all off, you’ll find stitched detailing throughout, giving the AM95 a true hack-and-slash aesthetic. Resale prices are skyrocketing by the minute, so secure yours now before it’s too late.
Every Halloween, Nike drops a selection of scary shoes that usually stick to one theme and one theme only. However, in 2019, the sportswear giant couldn’t decide on what to go for, so rather than just picking one thing and sticking to it, they decided to pick everything instead with the Nike SB Dunk Low “Night of Mischief.” Delivered in a mysterious black suede, purple spider-webs are finely embroidered across the lateral and medial sidewalls, and the classic toebox perforations show a grinning jack-o’-lantern. If that wasn’t enough, the heel badges also feature “Trick” or “Treat,” and the outsole glows in the dark.
Not only is the Nike Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Voodoo” one of the greatest Halloween trainers in history, it also happens to be one of the most hyped collabs on the planet. Made in partnership with New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson, this shoe is inspired by the creepy dolls of the same name. Crafted from a mixed material construction, the canvas, hemp, and suede panels are dipped in hues of brown, green, and orange. A skull graphic makes a cameo around the heel, and towards the back, the iconic winged basketball emblems have been turned upside-down for a sinister aesthetic.
You can’t talk about Halloween kicks if you don’t bring up the Nike Air Force 1 Low “Skeleton.” From a distance, these look just like your classic “Triple White” colourway. But as soon as you take a closer look, you’ll find X-ray scans of a skeletal foot across both sides of the shoe. It’s simple but very effective. Down below, the midsole is infused with Air tech, and it’s finished off with a rubber outsole that glows in low-light conditions. The “Skeleton” was eventually followed up by the “Black Skeleton,” the “Orange Skeleton,” and most recently, the “Purple Skeleton.” Nothing beats the OG though.
And last but certainly not least, we have the Nike SB Dunk High “Candy Corn.” Inspired by the sweet treat that’s extremely popular over in North America, the skateboarding silhouette boasts a white, orange, and yellow palette that fades from one hue to another, just like the confectionary that it’s based off of. A doubled-layered Swoosh shoots adds depth to the design, and additional candy corns make their way to the tongue and insole. Even if you didn’t grow up with the sugary snack, you can still appreciate this hair-raising release.
