Exactly one year ago Friday, Nike first began teasing a project turning some of its most classic soccer cleats into street-ready sneakers. And with the World Cup now just 10 days away from beginning, release plans for the series have been announced with a scope much larger than previously known.
Seven different brands representing streetwear and fashion from as many countries — including Palace, Patta and Virgil Abloh Archives — are collaborating on Nike Cryoshot sneakers as part of their larger X2 collections. Each pair takes on a different football boot from the past and uses injection molding to surround the studs with a clear TPU case, allowing the shoes to be seen as they were originally made but also worn on surfaces away from the pitch.
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“Football boots exist on this interesting spectrum of memento and performance equipment,” says Michele Galasso, Nike lead footwear developer, said in a press release. “It’s reserved for the pitch. Over time, once you stop playing, it turns into a beautiful piece of memorabilia, like a museum piece. We wanted it to be possible to wear these boots every day.”
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Nike designers played with different materials for nearly a year in order to find the right solution, eliminating options that were too murky, heavy or inflexible. Drop-in midsoles with Zoom Air units at the heel are used for each model, and an outsole beneath the clear window uses lugs for more routine needs in traction.
The seven collaborations will kick off the Cryoshot series with releases this summer, and in-line variants will follow later in the year. Below is a look at all seven shoes from the X2 collection.
Palace x England x Nike Cryoshot Air Speed M
Playing with a lesser-known silhouette from the late ’80s, Palace and Nike’s collaboration will release June 12 through Palace’s website and stores and June 6 through Nike’s website and select third-party retailers.
Patta x Netherlands x Nike Cryoshot Mercurial R9
Nike made the Mercurial R9 in 1998 as a signature boot for Brazilian legend Ronaldo. It was the first model in the sport to feature a full-synthetic upper, and its wavy lines were intended for optimal ball control. The very blue, silver and yellow colorway worn by the striker at World Cup will drop later this year, but first comes a Patta edition with Dutch orange accents. A dedicated website and Patta’s stores will release the collection June 11, followed June 13 by Dover Street Market and June 16 by Snkrs and select third-party retailers.
Virgil Abloh Archives x United States x Nike Cryoshot Zoom M9
Mia Hamm became the first woman to get a signature boot from Nike as she led the Americans to World Cup glory in 1999, and Virgil Abloh Archives is now bringing back the very same silhouette with signature motifs from the late designer. V.A.A.’s website and Team USA channels will host a release June 11, followed June 13 by Dover Street Market and June 16 by the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers.
Jacquemus x France x Nike Cryoshot Tiempo R10
The Tiempo R10 is linked to Brazilian Ronaldinho rather than a Frenchman, but that hasn’t stopped Jacquemus from giving it a premium leather upper and a stud arrangement mimicking the country’s flag. Channels for Jacquemus and the French National Team will release the shoe June 11, followed June 13 by Dover Street Market and June 16 by the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers.
Nocta x Canada x Nike Cryoshot Tiempo ’94
Paolo Maldini and Romario were among the players to wear the Tiempo ’94 at that year’s World Cup, and Drake’s label now takes on the silhouette with a bold yellow look. A release is scheduled for June 11 through Nocta’s website and the Canadian National Team’s channels, followed June 13 by Dover Street Market and June 16 by the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers.
PeaceMinusOne x South Korea x Nike Cryoshot CTR 360
G-Dragon’s label is looking back to the CTR 360 line, which ran from 2009 to 2014 and specifically catered to midfielders. Look for a drop June 11 through PeaceMinusOne’s website and the South Korean National Team’s channels, followed June 13 by Dover Street Market and June 16 by the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers.
Slawn x Nigeria x Nike Cryoshot Striker 1979
Nigerian designer and artist Slawn takes on the first soccer cleat every made by Nike with an illustration befitting of his country’s ever-bold jerseys. A release will come June 11 through Slawn’s website and the Nigerian National Team’s channels, followed June 13 by Dover Street Market and June 16 by the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers.