A “moon shoe” might make you think of a futuristic, space-age shoe built to survive harsh conditions. But in this case, the Moon Shoe is the name of one of Nike’s current bestsellers. It was first introduced by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman in the 1970s, and it was definitely designed for planet Earth.
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The Classic White
Nike OG Moon shoes
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$105 NIKE
The Pop of Yellow
Nike OG Moon shoes
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$105 NIKE
The Touch of Blue
Nike OG Moon shoes
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$105 NIKE
The Black and White
Nike OG Moon shoes
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$105 FWRD
Of course, what counts as a sneaker has gotten blurry in recent years, leading to lots of trendy hybrids – the “sneakerina” being the most obvious example. Even though the Moon Shoe came out long before this shift, it shares some features with those recently popular styles: soft construction, a slim shape, and textured soles.
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The original release was the first time Nike used what would become its signature waffle sole. Bowerman came up with the idea using a waffle iron in his kitchen, trying to improve grip for running (the appliance was a wedding gift that he later ruined with his non-food experiments). During wear tests, people nicknamed it the “Moon Shoe” because of the footprint it left on tracks and trails. This led to the Waffle Trainer in 1975, which helped make Nike a top sneaker brand.
This commercial design, which came before the Moon Shoe, became a bestseller. About 50 years later, Simon Porte Jacquemus found original prototypes in the Nike archive and decided to bring them back for fashion lovers, showing them on his spring/summer 2025 runway. His low, torpedo-shaped version, made from nylon with a bumpy Nike Grind outsole, has been a hit since it launched – especially with city-dwelling celebrities, who helped build excitement for Nike’s own (non-collab) version, released earlier this year.
“Our original running innovation uniquely bridges timeless sport and style,” Thomasin Hummerstone, Nike Energy Footwear product lead, tells Vogue about blending the two worlds. As for what’s next for the Moon Shoe? “Expect upgraded full-leather versions that bring a quieter sophistication, moving the silhouette forward for year-round wear.”
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Nike OG Moon shoes
$105 NIKE
$105 FWRD
$105 J.CREW
$105 BLOOMINGDALE’S
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Nike OG Moon shoes
$105 NIKE
$105 FWRD
$105 URBAN OUTFITTERS
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Nike OG Moon shoes
$105 NIKE
$105 J.CREW
$105 BLOOMINGDALE’S
$105 URBAN OUTFITTERS
Save to wishlist
Nike x Jacquemus Moon shoes
$180 JACQUEMUS
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Nike OG Moon shoes
$105 FWRD
$105 SSENSE
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Nike x Jacquemus Moon shoes
$180 JACQUEMUS
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the Nike Moon Shoe and its potential to become the Samba of 2026 written in a natural conversational tone
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q What exactly is the Nike Moon Shoe
A Its a very rare handmade running shoe from 1972 designed for the Olympic trials Its famous for its unique waffle sole and its spaceage moonboot look Only a few pairs exist
Q Why is everyone saying it will become the Samba of 2026
A The Adidas Samba is a classic everyday sneaker that became hugely popular again People think the Moon Shoes retro chunky design could follow the same pathmoving from niche collector item to a mainstream fashion staple by 2026
Q Is Nike actually rereleasing the Moon Shoe for everyone to buy
A Not exactly The original 1972 pairs are museum pieces But Nike has released modern versions that take design cues from it The buzz is about a new more widely available retro version coming soon
Q What does a Moon Shoe look like
A It has a very distinctive look a lowcut aerodynamic shape a bright blue or red suede upper and a thick white rubber sole with a wafflegrid pattern on the bottom
Q Will these shoes be comfortable for everyday walking
A The modern rereleases are designed for comfort using modern foam and cushioning The original was a stiff racing flat but any 2026 version would be built for daily wear
AdvancedLevel Questions
Q How rare is the original Moon Shoe and whats it worth
A Extremely rare Only about 12 pairs are known to exist In 2019 a pair sold at auction for over 437000 making it the most expensive sneaker ever sold at the time
Q What specific design elements from the Moon Shoe are influencing the 2026 trend