Waffle One

It’s not the first waffle sneaker from Nike, but it definitely isn’t last either. Nike’s love for heritage runners comes aplenty, and the brand’s classic waffle sole seems to have no signs of phasing out anytime soon; talk about effectiveness for decades.

The story of Nike’s legendary waffle outsole happened in 1971 when Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman saw his wife’s waffle iron and decided to put rubber in it. The moulded rubber took the shape of the waffle. Bill then implemented the sole on one of his many prototype running shoes. He saw that it worked wonders and provided durability and grip like never before.

The spikeless waffle shoe proved efficient on the grass and on the track – igniting a whole new technology for the Oregon-based brand. One of the first few models was the Nike Waffle Racing Flat, also called “Moon Shoe”. Only 12 of these running trainers were made, equipping some of the top athletes during the 1972 Olympic Trials. More waffle sole trainers released shortly in the following years.

50 years after Bill Bowerman’s discovery, the Nike Waffle One launched in 2021 for the modern generation of sneakerheads. Couldn’t think of a better way to pay tribute to Nike’s running heritage while giving the shoe an identity of its own.

For a lightweight and breathable feel, the Nike Waffle One features a transparent mesh body with suede overlays as reinforcements. Leather Swoosh logos on the sides stabilise the thin structure of the shoe.

Mixing old with the new, Nike incorporated a thin asymmetrical tongue for a minimalist approach. Another modern feature is the rigid plastic heel clip that’s double-stacked for more support.

The foam midsole flaunts a dual-density comfort for a well-balanced ride.

Of course, Bill Bowerman’s waffle sole invention adorns this namesake silhouette. Multiple nubs provide consistent grip anywhere you go!

Part of the Nike Sportswear label, the Nike Waffle One received a lot of compliments and praises when it was officially launched. Various colourways comprised of minimalist to loud and popping hues made their way on this modern-day classic. A Nike By You option lets you customise the lifestyle shoe in your favourite colours, as well as an option to put a text for a more personalised touch.

With a budget-friendly price tag, the Nike Waffle One is definitely one of the must-cop pairs for the year. Expect more colourways to roll out soon.

Check out some of the best and most recent Nike Waffle One releases below: