Nike’s Split-Toe Air Rift Sneaker Is All Meshed Up

Want to make a Nike Air Rift sneaker even breezier? Throw some mesh on it.

As it stands, Nike's tabi-toes shoe is already quite light on its feet, which makes sense, since it was created to mimic barefoot running and emulate natural foot movement.

Nike doubled down on this lightweight build with a breathable mesh upper. Elsewhere, adjustable straps contribute to the general ease of the shoe, while the split-toe design delivers that promised stability.

The Nike Air Rift, available on the Nike website for $125, while undoubtedly impacted by the current tabi trend cycle, actually predates the current split-toe hubbub taking over right now. In fact, 2026 marks 30 years of Nike's Air Rift.

That's 8 U.S. presidential elections, 8 leap years, and countless sneaker trends ranging from chunky sneakers like Nike's Air More Uptempo to borderline invasive toe shoes like the Vibram Five Fingers. Nike's Air Rift has been around for it all — and then some.

And like any other sneaker that's stood the unrelenting test of time, the Nike Air Rift has lived long enough to see itself be rediscovered and thrust back into the spotlight.

Sure, tabi shoes have their fair share of dissenting opinions, but more and more it seems separating toes brings everyone together.

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