Nike Sacai is the category where we've gathered hybrid sneakers created through the collaboration between Nike and the Japanese brand sacai – shoes with a double Swoosh, doubled tongues and layered soles.
The History of the Nike and sacai Collaboration
The collaboration between the Japanese brand sacai and Nike took the sneaker world by storm remarkably quickly, especially when the beloved sacai x Nike LDWaffle debuted in 2019. They were created by the Japanese designer Chitose Abe. Since 1999, Abe has been perfecting her craft and building the brand.
Nike and sacai began their ongoing collaboration long before the famous LDWaffle model saw the light of day.
Nike first met Chitose Abe and sacai in 2015, creating a women's collection together with NikeLab.
The birth of the first sneaker collections from sacai & Nike, in the form of stylized versions of the Air Max 90 and Nike Dunk High Lux. The first to be released were three futuristic yet minimalist Nike Air Max 90 shoes, all in a laceless version.
Iconic Models Take the Sneaker World by Storm
Four years passed and the era of the sacai x Nike LDWaffle began. Designer Reba Brammer and her team proposed using these models in the upcoming collaboration. The project was dominated by colors such as yellow, blue, black and white, as well as navy and red.
Later that same year, both hybrid designs received a second color palette, this time in two attractive black-and-white schemes for both the Blazer Dunk and the LDWaffle.
The collaboration between sacai and Nike continues with the all-new sacai x Nike VaporWaffle. Combining the 1983 Nike Pegasus and the Nike Vaporfly, both running models, resulted in a highly modernized yet nostalgic shoe.
The deconstruction-inspired look, like the earlier collaboration models, offers an exceptionally complex layered structure with interwoven laces. Two colorways were released: Sail with fuschia White and Black with white details. The other colors were seen on the runway in Paris – Tour Yellow and Villain Red.
Later on, sacai models combined with the Blazer were also developed. LDWaffle versions were also made in collaboration with the brands Fragment and Undercover. Each of these collaborations was original in its own way and differed from the classic releases.
Nike x sacai Models Available in the Category
- LDWaffle sacai – Varsity Blue, Summit White, Black, Black Nylon, White Nylon and Green Gusto, plus versions with Undercover, Clot (Kiss of Death) and Fragment Design.
- Blazer Mid and Blazer Low sacai – from Snow Beach and White Grey to British Tan, Iron Grey, Magma Orange, patent White and Black Patent Leather, plus KAWS editions in the Red and Neptune Blue colorways.
- VaporWaffle sacai – Tour Yellow, Villain Red, Black White, Sail Fuschia, Dark Iris, Sesame Blue Void, Black Gum and Sail Gum.
- Zoom Cortez SP sacai – a hybrid take on the classic Cortez in white with red and blue accents.
What Is sacai's Hybrid Design All About?
Chitose Abe designs in the spirit of deconstruction and combines doubled elements in one shoe: two Swoosh logos, two tongues, double lacing and a layered sole. The effect is more sculptural than in classic Nike models, which is why such a pair stands out even with a very simple outfit.
How to Choose Your Size and How to Wear Them?
Most people choose their standard size in sacai models, although with a wide foot some go up half a size because of the layered upper. Hybrid sneakers look best with simple pants or wide-leg jeans that don't cover the sole. You can try on a specific pair in our brick-and-mortar store in Wrocław.
Authentic Nike Sacai at SneakersJoint
We check every pair of sacai before shipping – under UV light, by EAN codes and by comparison with a reference pair. We explain the details on the Authenticity at SneakersJoint page. You can find the classic versions of these silhouettes in the Nike Blazer and Nike Cortez categories, and the brand's entire range in the Nike section.
Frequently asked questions
Who Is Behind the sacai Brand?
sacai is a Japanese brand founded in 1999 by Chitose Abe, formerly associated with Comme des Garçons. It shows its collections in Paris, and the collaboration with Nike is among its most recognizable projects.
What Is the Difference Between the LDWaffle and the VaporWaffle?
The LDWaffle references Nike's retro runners from the '70s, while the VaporWaffle combines the Pegasus with the modern Vaporfly. As a result, the latter has a sportier, more technical character.
How Long Does Shipping of Nike Sacai Shoes Take?
Pairs in stock ship within 24 hours, and made-to-order models are fulfilled in 2–10 business days. If the size doesn't fit, you have 14 days to make a return.
