Shop Nike Air Presto Sneakers

The first version of the Nike Air Presto was born at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 – the timing couldn't have been more perfect. As the sporting world was dominated by the performances of long-distance runners and sprinters, Nike chose the opportune moment to drop a sneaker that featured the latest technology. For the creative ensemble at Nike, comfort was king, so there was a good chance it would be a success. 

Upon launch, the Nike Air Presto was marketed as a "t-shirt for your feet" to emphasise the sneaker's killer comfort and versatility. Instead of traditional numerical sizing, the Nike Air Presto was sold in sizes S, M, L, and XL, which simplified the manufacturing process. Nike's fascination with creating a running shoe that simulates the feeling of running barefoot was born through the development of the Nike Air Presto. It's amazing to think that without the Nike Air Presto, the Nike Free Runner might never have existed, isn't it?

What does a current Nike advertisement look like? One with an army of athletes, rhythmic symmetry in the choreo, and matching beats, that is. In 2000, it all looked a bit different, though. Everything was a lot simpler then. For Nike, that was exactly the reason why something heavy had to be done. They skillfully played off the boring commercials of the competition by simply rushing out loud advertisements. 

The Nike Air Presto originally came in 13 different colourways. Each version of the Air Presto had its own commercial on TV. There were some really funny things to see that definitely shocked the advertising world. Each Air Presto had its own name, which was mentioned in the TV spot, including the version number. 

The curious spots played a big role in pushing the Presto into the mainstream and became one of the most popular running shoes of its generation. Nice Job, Nike! 

This Is What Nike Air Presto Commercials Looked Like Back Then:

To find a name that matched the sneaker's qualities, Nike's creative team decided to accept suggestions from the design and development community. Over 300 submissions were received, one of which named it "Presto Magic". The name was chosen because the sneaker magically moulded to the foot.

As for the sneakers, there were 13 nicknames for each colour: Catfight Shiner, Trouble at Home, Brutal Honey, Rogue Kielbasas, Unholy Cumulus, Rabid Panda, Abdominal Snowman, Shady Milkman, Orange Monk, Migraine Fly, Jack Mackerel, Presto Bill, and a final thirteenth version that remained unnamed.

The original Presto line from 2000 was easily recognisable by its neoprene mesh upper, lightweight midsole, and cushioned outsole. The design itself has remained unchanged over the years. The five dots on the outsole were another trademark of the Nike Air Presto. 

Over the years, numerous special editions have been released, while the shape has been retained. Thanks to the sneaker's age, new designs over the years range from denim, safari, and Oreo themes to a highly exclusive collaboration with musician Eric Clapton. The sole, which featured digitally printed graphics (one of the first shoes), offered plenty of scope for stark designs.

There was a time when Nike really focused on improving their iconic silhouettes with the Flyknit treatment. This technology was a perfect fit for the sneaker, and so, the Nike Air Presto Ultra Flyknit was born. 

The addition of Flyknit to the signature upper gave the Nike Air Presto an even more futuristic silhouette. The introduction of this new material provided better ventilation for the wearer and made the shoe more comfortable for the runner, building on the original principles of the Nike Air Presto in 2000. By transforming it into a mid-top sneaker, the sneaker has found new life on the street as the athletic trend continues to make big strides into the mainstream.

For many sneakerheads, 2017 is one of the best sneaker release years ever. That's when Nike and its longtime partner Off-White, founded by the late designer Virgil Abloh, released a major collection called "The Ten". Among them was a two-tone Off-White x Nike Air Presto. Many fans feel that the Off-White x Nike Presto deserves the silver medal and the secondary market seems to agree, as the resale value is around $2,000, well below the value of the Off-White x AJ1 "Chicago".

At the time, the renowned label's collaboration sneakers were considered the hottest sneakers around. So it's no wonder that the pairs sold out quickly after their release. Fortunately, you didn't have to wait long for a sequel. Because in 2018, two more Off-White x Nike Air Presto followed in "White" and "Black". Here, the focus was much more on a monochrome colourway with the characteristic OW details.

The hype around the T-shirt for your feet was huge. A short time later, ACRONYM presented three high Nike Air Prestos. They enjoy great popularity due to their technical and futuristic look. These include the "Cool Grey", the "Racer Pink" and the "Dynamic Yellow".