Nike Shoes

Why Choose Nike Shoes?

Nike shoes go from sports to fashion, with performance and lifestyle pairs in the same lineup. Classics like the Nike Air Force 1 sit next to running, training and basketball shoes, so a professional athlete, a casual runner and a fashion-minded shopper can each find a pair.

What Is the Story Behind Nike?

Nike began in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, a 50-50 partnership between Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman, his track coach at the University of Oregon. The company became Nike in 1971, the year the Swoosh logo designed by Carolyn Davidson first appeared. The first Nike shoes were performance running shoes. Early staples like the Cortez and the Blazer arrived in the 1970s, Nike Air cushioning debuted in 1978, and the Air Force 1 followed in 1982 as the first basketball shoe with Air. Visible Air arrived later in the 1980s with the Air Max line, and that deep connection to sports culture still shapes both performance gear and street fashion.

What Can You Find in Nike Footwear?

Nike shoes and sneakers come in men's, women's and kids' sizes, across running, training, basketball and everyday lifestyle styles. Retro-inspired pairs keep their heritage shapes, while newer performance models lean into modern design. Beyond the shoes, programs like Nike Grind turn end-of-life shoes and manufacturing scrap into recycled material for new products and sports surfaces.

What Are the Most Popular Styles of Nike Shoes?

• Air Force 1: Classic, clean lines that dress up or down and work with both athletic and streetwear looks.
• Blazer Mid: A 1970s Nike staple with a mid-top court shape.
• Cortez: A retro-inspired runner that keeps its heritage shape for everyday wear.
• Air Max: Visible Air cushioning, from the Air Max 97 to the Air VaporMax.
• Pegasus: The Air Zoom Pegasus leans into modern design for daily runs and walks.
• Dunk: A low court shape that moves easily from school days to relaxed evenings with friends.

How to Pick the Right Pair of Nikes

Start with the activity, then match the feature and the fit to it: runners can start with the Nike Pegasus, while the Nike Vomero 5 suits everyday walking.

• All-day cushioning: Look for Air cushioning, visible or hidden, if you spend long hours on your feet.
• Workouts: Models like the Nike Metcon are built for gym sessions, with grippy outsoles.
• Running: Look at the midsole foam first, such as Nike React or ZoomX, then the upper, from a knit upper to the breathable materials on the Nike Free Run.
• Outfits: Wear Nike sneakers with jeans and a graphic tee or joggers and a hoodie for men's looks, with leggings and an oversized sweater or a mini skirt and blouse for women's outfits, and with shorts, T-shirts or dresses for kids, from school to weekend playdates.
• Fit: Sizing can vary from one model to the next, so check the Hibbett size chart before you order. Some models, like the Air Force 1, can run large.

Key Terms for Nike Footwear

• Midsole - The cushioning and support layer that sits under the foot, between upper and outsole.
• Knit upper - An upper made from knitted yarns rather than separate woven panels.
• Outsole - The rubber layer under the shoe that meets the ground and gives grip.
• Recycled material - Material recovered and processed for use in a new product, as in Nike Grind.

Nike Member Benefits

Members also enjoy Free Shipping for Members, Free 60 Day Returns, and rewards that stack up fast. Earn $10 for every $200 spent, plus 15% off for new rewards members.