Air Mowabb

The Air Mowabb holds a central place within Nike’s ACG collection, originating from Moab, Utah, and drawing inspiration from Tinker Hatfield’s visits to the region. This unique shoe emerged as a daring project conceived by one of Nike’s visionary designers.

Tinker Hatfield’s reflection on the genesis of the Air Mowabb reveals his audacious aspirations. He stated, “I’m thinking, well, we’ve got this ACG project, so I’m going to design a shoe like no other… I had built up some political clout from previous projects, and I think it’s a mistake if you don’t take advantage of that to do things no one’s ever done.” This bold endeavor was facilitated by Hatfield’s established reputation within the company.

A trailblazing move, the Air Mowabb was among the first Nike sneakers to feature a speckled midsole, a design now commonplace in various Swoosh-adorned shoes. Hatfield and his team dedicated significant time to perfecting the speckled sole. This involved meticulous refinement and extended stays in Asian factories. Notably, early prototypes even saw paint manually splattered onto the sneakers, underscoring the team’s commitment to realizing their creative vision.

Tinker Hatfield’s initial sketches for the Mowabb drew from aquatic and indigenous influences, reflecting his exploration of trails like Slick Rock, Porcupine Trail, and the Poison Spider Mesa. Native American moccasins, aquatic life, and nearby rivers inspired his designs. The goal was to create a versatile outdoor cross-trainer that could adapt to diverse activity demands.

The Air Mowabb’s legacy continued through the Air Revaderchi, a spiritual successor in Nike’s Huarache line designed by Steve McDonald. Hatfield mentioned, “Steve McDonald came back to me with a new version of the Mowabb… He had a few additional ideas that he called the Air Revaderchi.” This progression exemplified Nike’s niche product strategy, influencing subsequent shoe designs.

In essence, the Air Mowabb’s origin in Moab, its innovative features like the speckled midsole, its incorporation of ecological and cultural influences, and its connection to the Air Revaderchi all contribute to its standing as a seminal and distinctive artifact in Nike’s design narrative.

Check out some of the latest Nike Air Air Mowabb releases below