Over 20 years on from its original release and the Nike Air Kukini still to this day, looks like its been brought back from the future, not the past. That may be thanks to its origins and its birth from within the Nike Alpha Project. Having seen other famed silhouettes like the Air Presto, the Alpha Project was an opportunity for Nike to explore ambitious projects that pushed the boundaries of performance and sneaker design. Each of these sneakers were branded with five dots which for anyone who hadn’t noticed, can be located on the heel of the Air Kukini.

With the aim of pushing boundaries and seeing where sneaker design can take them, the Air Kukini uses a laceless system which with its webbed cage wrapping itself around the shoe, offers more stability and structure to its on foot feel.

Returning with a bang in 2022, the first release doesn’t hold back in its approach. Finished in an all-over leopard print pattern, it screams 90’s nostalgia which with the upcoming summer months, is the perfect footwear throwback. Take a closer look below and make sure to look out for the Nike Air Kukini SE ‘Kumquat/Action Red’ launching at Footpatrol on Thursday 26th May, in-store and online.