While many of Nike, Inc.s’ Halloween-themed sneaker styles have already been released, the Beaverton, Ore.-based sportswear company still has a few tricks — or treats, depending on how much of a horror aficionado you are — up its sleeve for spooky season.
Set for a Friday launch is a brand-new Air Force 1 ’01 “Nightmare” style in a Black/Gym Red/Metallic Silver color combination. With its red-tinged leather edges, fully blacked out upper and pin cushion-like metallic stud detailing, the look is already menacing enough to justify the Nightmare nickname on its own, but the colorway’s unofficial inspiration adds an especially bone-chilling aura to the upcoming pair.
Like Nike’s “Scream”-themed Air Force 1s, which are not an official collaboration with the film franchise but instead used a number of on-the-nose details to translate their theme, the Nightmare makeup references yet another iconic horror film: 1987’s “Hellraiser.”
The Air Force 1 ’01 Nightmare’s design is an undeniable allusion to the movie’s main antagonist, Pinhead. If the sneaker’s black-and-red palette, which matches promotional materials for some of Hellraiser’s various installments, and pin-covered upper weren’t enough to get the message across, its split-leather treatment at the toe and heel draw a clear comparison to Pinhead’s signature look.
Aside from its unofficial horror flick inspiration, the Nightmare style is also notable for using the Air Force 1’s recently introduced remastered ’01 construction. While subtle, the Air Force 1 ’01 features a revamped shape and build compared to the more ubiquitous Air Force 1 ’07 variation that is intended to resemble the sneaker’s 2001 form, an era which is often hailed by purists as the model’s heyday.
The Nike Air Force 1 ’01 Nightmare will be released Oct. 23 at 10 a.m. ET from Nike’s Snkrs app and select Nike Sportswear retailers for $140. Its style code is IX0104-001.