Home / Footwear / Sneakers

Nike’s Iconic Retro Runner Is Hardly Recognizable Thanks to a Premium Leather Makeover

The Nike LD-1000’s heritage-driven aesthetic gets dialed all the way up with this refined new take designed to only get better with age.

Close-up of a brown leather Nike sneaker with zigzag stitching and brown laces against a green background.Nike
Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Hayley Helms

Published

·

Updated

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

As far as the ranking of timeless materials goes, leather is pretty high up on the list. (It’s been chic since the Stone Age.)

Despite its rich and very long history, however, leather remains both fresh and enduring, thanks to novel new applications … like this new collaboration sneaker between Nike and fashion brand Aritzia, which uses the quintessential material to great effect.

Brown suede Nike sneakers with decorative charms on the laces worn with bright orange socks.
The LD-1000 “Edition A” retains Nike’s classic DNA but brings in luxe materials to give the sneaker an edge.
Nike

Better with time

In case you’re unfamiliar with the LD-1000, it was released (and subsequently recalled) in the late 1970s, thanks to its unique but ultimately troublesome flared heel design which created more problems than it solved.

Since slim shoes have been making a comeback in the past few years, the LD-1000 has seen a resurgence in popularity.

Pair of brown leather Nike sneakers with gum rubber soles and beige Nike swoosh on the toe.
The Fauna Brown/Hemp/Gum Dark Brown/Fauna Brown colorway is really just another way of saying this stylish shoe is … brown.
Nike

It now has a few fresh collaborations under its belt, including this redux designed in partnership with Stüssy that helped put it back on the map.

Dressed in a rich brown leather dubbed Fauna Brown, the Nike LD-1000 “Edition A” is the first collaboration sneaker between the footwear giant and Aritzia, known for its “everyday luxury” approach to apparel.

Close-up of a brown suede shoe heel with detailed stitching and a textured rubber sole.
The iconic waffle sole (and dramatically flared heel) remain on the reimagined LD-1000 “Edition A.”
Nike

Designed with the fashion set in mind, the LD-1000 “Edition A” sees Nike’s sport heritage reinterpreted with changes like the previously mentioned premium leather upper, as well as a Nike logo hit in a new location: rather than gracing the side of the shoe, the iconic swoosh is shrunken down, debossed and relocated to the front of the shoe.

Aside from its trending brown colorway, this new LD-1000 also makes use of another footwear trend: shoe charms.

Brown leather sneakers with white socks and a herringbone-patterned skirt on a gray floor.
Shoe charms make this collaboration even more unique — and on trend.
Nike

Every pair bought from Aritzia comes with one of two limited-edition Aritzia charms — a four-leaf clover and horseshoe — adding to the unique character of the shoe.

The iconic Nike waffle rubber sole remains from the original design, as does the flared heel and foam midsole. Although this is being marketed as a women’s shoe, sizing is available for both men and women.

Availability and pricing

The Nike x Aritzia LD-1000 “Edition A” is available now on Nike’s official website for $140.

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

Swoosh Stories

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

add as a preferred source on google