Your Next Shoe Purchase Oughta Be From Nike's More Left-Field Sneaker Range
Most of Nike’s popularity revolves around a handful of models. The Swoosh elects these models far in advance, devising marketing schedules and trend forecasting to curate your rotation. But what happens to the hundreds of models that don’t earn a spot in the limelight? Well, they end up in the rotations of the sneakerheads, of course.
The purist has long searched for the rarest, most underrated Nike sneakers. There’s no beating the feeling of sporting a decade-old general release that turns heads. In honor of this feeling, we’ve rounded up 10 pairs of underrated Nike sneakers that deserve some love in your rotation.
From the newly revitalized Astrograbber to NFL pro Devon Booker's basketball slash skate shoe, scroll through for some inspiration outside of the usual suspects.
Shop 10 of the most underrated Nike sneakers below.
Nike V5 RNR
Nike’s V5 RNR taps the whole tech-runner motif, with a silhouette that feels straight out of the early 2000s. Despite its looks, this shoe's less about performance and more about vibe, frankly: layered panels, chunky lines, and an everyday wearability that makes it an easy entry point into something somehow both retro and classic.
Nike LD-1000 SE "LNY"
Nike’s LD-1000 SE “LNY” blends heritage and celebration, reviving a classic 1977 long-distance runner with Lunar New Year touches and rich red detailing from Nike’s Year of the Horse capsule. It’s a clean, culture-aware take on an OG silhouette that’s as much about storytelling as daily use.
Jordan Session
Nike’s Jordan Session flips the script on what a Jordan sneaker can be, borrowing skate-inspired cues like flat laces, padded collars, and a grippy cupsole while subtly sticking to the Jumpman DNA. It’s a laid-back, lifestyle-leaning silhouette that bridges classic skate vibes with Jordan Brand heritage (at an accessible price point).
Nike Waffle Racer
Not to be confused with its resembling and much-duped Moon Shoe, Nike’s Waffle Racer is a timeless nod to the brand’s roots: it was born in the 1970s, when co-founder Bill Bowerman literally poured rubber into a waffle iron to forge a grippy, lightweight sole that changed running shoes forever. Today’s Waffle Racer keeps that retro tech-runner DNA alive with vintage styling and modern materials, standing as both a heritage icon and an easy-to-wear pick that’s as relevant on the street as it was on the track.
Nike Air Max Moto 2K
Nike’s Air Max Moto 2K resurrects a mid-2000s tech runner classic with modern quirks, leaning into mesh uppers, metallic accents, and visible Max Air cushioning for maximum comfort. It channels Y2K heritage while blending performance-inspired details with street-ready style, making it an unassuming standout in Nike’s retro runner revival wave.
Jordan Flight Court
Jordan’s Flight Court is a fresh low-top from Jordan Brand that blends classic basketball DNA with skate-ready, lifestyle energy, remixing traits from icons like the AJ3, AJ4 and AJ5 into one clean, versatile shape. It’s quickly become a favorite pick for those who want heritage-rich design under an evergreen banner.
Nike Astrograbber Leather
Not until high fashion up-cycling brand Bode unearthed it from Nike's archival trove did people pay much mind to the old-timey football shoe that is the Astrograbber. Now, with re-arisen interest in the simply-silhouetted and lugged sneaker, it has made a many-colored comeback.
Nike Air Max SNDR GORE-TEX
Nike’s Air Max SNDR GORE-TEX employs the late-’90s futurist SNDR silhouette, and outfits it with weather-proof Gore-Tex fabric and a zip-up shroud for seasonal versatility without sacrificing street style. It pairs Max Air cushioning comfort with rugged functionality, making it a go-to for those who want performance-ready Air Max perks year-round.
Nike Aura Edge
Nike’s Aura Edge is a chunky, runner-inspired silhouette that pairs a sculptural, textured sole with a breathable mesh upper and plush cushioning to strike that perfect balance between sporty ease and unique style.
Nike Blazer Low x Book
Nike’s Blazer Low x Book is a special version of the timeless low-top that comes from NBA star Devin Booker’s ongoing collaboration with Nike, blending bits of the athlete's backstory with elements from the style's different epochs: once basketball kicks, Blazers later inadvertently grew popular with the skateboarding community.
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