The Story Behind the “Out of this Galaxy” Sneaker

Out of this world is overrated. They had to take this one intergalactic.

The Foamposite

In the world of sneakers, few releases have sparked as much frenzy, chaos, and sheer excitement as the launch of the Nike Air Foamposite One "Galaxy" in 2012.

The Nike Air Foamposite One was already known for its futuristic design and innovative use of materials when it debuted in 1997.

Its seamless, liquid-like upper and molded fit were unlike anything on the market, making it a favorite among NBA players and sneakerheads alike.

However, it was the "Galaxy" edition, released in February 2012 during the NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando, that would take the model to new heights—quite literally.

The Inspiration

The "Galaxy" theme was inspired by the space exploration narrative surrounding the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, the host city for that year's NBA All-Star Game.

The sneaker featured a vibrant, nebula-like print on the Foamposite material, paired with a black nubuck upper and a translucent outsole.

Glow-in-the-dark elements added to its allure, creating a shoe that seemed to encapsulate the vastness and mystery of the cosmos on one's feet.

The Release

The release of the Nike Air Foamposite One "Galaxy" was nothing short of chaotic.

Nike's decision to launch this highly anticipated sneaker as a limited release led to long lines, campouts, and in some instances, riots at stores.

The demand was so overwhelming that some locations had to cancel their sales for safety concerns, and police were called to manage the crowds in several cities.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the "Galaxy" release was a mix of awe and scrutiny.

While many praised Nike for creating a sneaker that could generate such excitement and bring together communities of sneaker enthusiasts, others criticized the chaos and safety concerns the release incited.

Despite this, the "Galaxy" Foamposites solidified their place in sneaker history, influencing how brands approached future releases, including the use of raffles and online drops to manage crowd control and ensure safety.

The resale market for the "Galaxy" Foamposites exploded, with prices soaring to several times their original retail value.

This shoe not only became a must-have for collectors but also a symbol of the lengths to which people would go to secure a pair of truly unique sneakers.

Recap

So let’s run it back real quick. What did we learn about these beautiful pair of intergalactic kicks?

• Nebula print sets the design trend - the innovative visuals inspire future sneaker designs

• Release chaos shows intense hype - high demand led to safety concerns, rethinking sales methods

• Shifts how sneakers are released - this led to online raffles/drops to manage crowd control

In other news:

Check out the Dunk Low “Grey Gums” coming soon 👀