Nike’s RTFKT Studios might have just revealed the first look of its soon-to-be-released IRL Cryptokicks through a video published by SneakerCon.
RTFKT Studios, the Web3 brand acquired by Nike, may be on the verge of bringing its digital sneakers to life based on a leaked video from SneakerCon featuring the soon-to-be-released in-real-life (IRL) Cryptokicks. The leaked video gives sneakerheads a first look at the Cryptokicks, which, up to this point, have only ever been digital versions of RTFKT and Nike’s collaborations.
It will be remembered that in April, Nike and RTFKT finally released their Cryptokicks NFT sneakers. However, there has never been a confirmation from both parties whether they would release a physical edition of the sneakers or not.
A Closer Look at the IRL Cryptokicks Sneakers
The IRL Cryptokicks looks to be the realization of RTFKT and Nike’s long-winding story that has seen them collaborating on an Air Force 1-inspired Clone X collection. The collection could not only be minted but also redeemed later on in the physical form.
As mentioned, the first look at the IRL Cryptokicks was leaked through a video published by SneakerCon, which a Twitter user with the handle @johnnyx_nft shared on the social media site.
Nice Kicks, an authoritative, accurate, and credible news and information website for sneakerheads, was able to obtain an image of the RTFKT x Nike IRL Cryptokicks. Based on the image, the sneakers are similar to the 2015 Nike Air Mags, which were created to celebrate “Back to the Future Day.”
In particular, the IRL Cryptokicks’ colorway is similar to the Mags’ gray/silver/teal colors and futuristic look, with the addition of Nike’s signature electronic lacing technology, Adapt. Hence, Nice Kicks describes the Cryptokicks as a continuation of the 2020’s Nike Adapt BB 2.0.
As can be seen in the photo, RTFKT’s logos can be seen on the shoe’s tongue, heel counter, straps, and midsole. Meanwhile, letterings spelling out “CRYPTOKICKS iRL” and “RTFKT” appear on the shoe, too. Incidentally, Nike filed a Cryptokicks patent for blockchain-compatible sneakers in 2019.
Mixed Reactions to the IRL Cryptokicks
Judging from the replies that @johnnyx_nft’s tweet received, many sneakerheads have expressed disappointment over the IRL Cryptokicks’ purported appearance. Some are even hoping that what they saw on SneakerCon’s reel is an unfinished model.
A Twitter user with the handle @kayvainVoss replied, “After collecting so many Cryptokicks, I am really disappointed by this, I hope it’s a very, very early edition.” However, there is no word from the concerned camps whether the IRL Cryptokicks are still in the early stages, much less what stage the production is currently at.
Another Twitter user with the handle @604cefiro said the shoes are “Nike adapts basically.” He even went as far as saying that “no sneakerhead is wearing those,” openly expressing his disappointment over the product.
Come to think of it, though, the IRL Cryptokicks is a fascinating concept that would only serve to move NFTs further into the mainstream. Surely, these IRL Cryptokicks will be one of the many IRL sneakers that RTFKT will launch in collaboration with Nike. RTFKT has several silhouettes they can produce based on the NFTs they have already dropped.
As regards the sneakers’ actual release, no official date has been confirmed yet. There are reports that the IRL Cryptokicks will be released during the Holiday season this year and will retail for $300. Speculations are also rife that only RTFKT NFT owners can purchase the IRL sneakers.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether the IRL Cryptokicks will see the light of day during the Dallas leg of Sneaker Con, which is happening on October 15 to 16, 2022.
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