Home / Footwear / Sneakers

Nike Revives a Nostalgic ’90s Silhouette as a Breathable Summer Staple

The jelly shoe was beginning to lose its momentum until the Swoosh stepped in and gave the retro style new life.

close up of the nike rejuven8 og jelly in muslin and pale ivoryNike
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

Two summers ago, jelly shoes were everywhere, staging one of the more unexpected comebacks of the decade.

The ’90s style hung on through last summer, but this year, it felt like the trend had run its course … until Nike’s upcoming release proved otherwise.

Pair of neon yellow Nike shoes with one featuring a mesh upper and the other a lattice design on a blue background.
The Women’s Rejuven8 Run OG Jelly brings together recovery-day comfort and summertime vibes.
Nike

The Rejuven8 Run OG Jelly brings fresh energy to the nostalgic style.

Summertime style

The Nike Air Rejuven8 already had a reputation as one of Nike’s more experimental silhouettes.

Launched around the 2008 Olympics, the literally divisive recovery/everyday shoe featured a two-part design, composed of a mesh insert and perforated exoskeleton cage.

Bright red Nike sneaker with a mesh upper and lattice design on a blue background.
The split design of the interior mesh bootie and more rigid, jelly exoskeleton maintains breathability and trending style.
Nike

While the model was ahead of its time, in the quirky footwear landscape of 2026, it feels more relevant than ever, especially thanks to its new material revision.

The 2008 version was made using a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) cage, while the 2026 version is made with the updated jelly material, which is made primarily from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The new version is translucent, while the original was solid.

Pair of cream-colored Nike sneakers with woven texture and black swoosh logo inside, on blue background.
The two parts of the shoe combined …
Nike
Pair of white Nike slip-on shoes with textured mesh upper and black Nike swoosh inside, on blue background.
… and the inner mesh bootie on its own.
Nike

The women’s Rejuven8 Run OG Jelly channels summer energy with a jelly-like cage, and the three vivid colorways (Light Lemon Twist and Lime, Light Crimson, Muslin and Pale Ivory) bring fresh energy to the silhouette.

Thanks to its translucent new material and ultra-breathable construction, the funky two-part shoe is now ideal for pool days and summer outings.

Close-up of a bright red sneaker with mesh fabric and plastic lattice side panel against a blue background.
Cushy foam and encapsulated Air bring big comfort, while the jelly material brings big vibes.
Nike

While the upcoming release has already been spotted on Nike’s global channels with an April 30th release date, so far there’s no confirmation that this fruity fresh style will make it stateside.

Availability and pricing

The Rejuven8 Run OG Jelly will be available on Nike’s website starting on April 30th, retailing for $130.

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).

Read More

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