Nike's Most Normal Sneaker Went Full Wales Bonner Samba
Nike's Killshot 2 sneaker is arguably the most ordinary shoe in its arsenal, beloved by plain-dressed dudes across the globe. Suddenly, though, the most normal Nike that ever was is a stylish sneaker.
And, wildest of all, Nike's greatest Killshot innovation in years might be thanks to adidas. Maybe.
Okay, bear with me. Nike's newest Killshot 2 sneaker, which only just released in early May, sports a handsome green-beige colorway that mixes materials (smooth and full-grain leather, suede) that just looks darn good.
So far, so Killshot normal.
But what's wild is that the newest Nike Killshot 2 wears a stylish stitched Nike logo on its heel, an unexpected textural upgrade that really takes the simple shoe to the next level.
This is the least plain version of the Killshot to date, even though it's still pretty understated even by Nike's own in-line standards.
And, possibly even more interestingly, this Killshot 2 launched in women's sizes, though the range is large enough that the sneaker can be sized-up to fit even a men's 14.
So, it's a unisex shoe, really, but the distinction of it being angled around women's sizes hints at the market that Nike is aiming to entice.
That is, though Wales Bonner's adidas Samba sneaker collaborations are a genderless hit, they've proven particularly popular with women (skim TikTok for ample evidence). Samba sneaker alternatives designed by Onitsuka Tiger and PUMA have proven popular as Samba demand spikes — Nike surely wants in.
Part of the Wales Bonner Samba's appeal is their wearable low-profile silhouette but, crucially, they also amp up the textural intrigue. Since the early days of Wales Bonner's adidas collabs, the British designer has utilized thick, blanket stitches to give her shoes an artisanal, DIY appearance.
It's an appreciably elegant, subtle touch that elevates the classic adidas terrace sneakers to designer status. Little wonder why Nike's new Killshot shoes have their own thick stitches.
This is no one-off, either
Notice one of the other new Killshot 2 shoes available on Nike's site, available in the men's sneaker section though it's also unisex. See that stitching towards the heel? Really makes you think.
And, to top it all off, Nike's Killshot 2 is priced comparably to non-Wales Bonner Sambas, at $90 to regular Samba's $80.
Just goes to show the power of a popular shoe.
Wales Bonner's adidas collaborations have proven so in-demand that the designer's latest seasonal adidas affair abandons the well-trod formula for greener pastures, while elements of her Samba designs are translated to non-collab adidas sneakers.
The thick stitches are even showing up on other collaborative adidas Samba shoes, demonstrating their innate appeal.
Nike's already got the lifestyle basketball sneaker market cornered but it doesn't have nearly as much potency in the realm of terrace footwear. I could be swinging blindly here but these new Killshot 2 sneakers at least appear to be hinting at Nike's desire to weave (or stitch) its way into new territory.
