HUMAN MADE Debuts Its Own Sneaker: The Duck Kick

HUMAN MADE is releasing a sneaker under its own name for the first time in the brand's history. The HUMAN MADE Duck Kick launches in Japan on Saturday, September 26, marking a new step for the Tokyo label founded by Nigo.

With the HUMAN MADE Duck Kick, the brand adds an entirely new chapter to a history that so far has mostly been built on clothing and collaborations. It also fits a broader trend of fashion labels launching their own footwear instead of relying purely on collabs.

HUMAN MADE

HUMAN MADE, founded by Nigo as a sister label to BAPE, has long been known for its vintage Americana aesthetic and the playful duck logo that shows up across nearly every collection.

Over the years, Nigo grew into one of the most recognizable names in Japanese streetwear, including through his work as creative director at Kenzo.

On the footwear side, though, HUMAN MADE has so far always relied on collaborations: earlier sneakers came out together with adidas, Clarks Originals and Vans. With the Duck Kick, the label puts out its first original shoe, standing on its own without an outside partner.

HUMAN MADE

The name Duck Kick likely nods to the duck logo HUMAN MADE has been associated with since it started. The model comes in three colorways: white, black and brown, with style codes HM31GD130, HM31GD137 and HM31GD138.

The upper combines suede and mesh, finished with distinctive stitching, a signature HUMAN MADE detail. A notable feature is a hidden pocket built into the construction, a playful touch in line with the brand's attention to detail.

White and black read as versatile and easy to style, while the brown version leans more understated. All three colorways share the same silhouette, so it's the details and material choices that set them apart.

HUMAN MADE

Release and availability

The HUMAN MADE Duck Kick drops on Saturday, September 26 at 9:00 AM Japan time via the HUMAN MADE webshop.

If you'd rather shop in person, the HUMAN MADE flagship store in Harajuku, Tokyo opens sales at 11:00 AM. For that in-store release, advance registration through the official app was required, decided by a lottery that ran from September 17 through 22, a common way to fairly distribute hyped drops in Japan.

HUMAN MADE

Online orders can't be cancelled or returned once confirmed, so double-check your size and details before checking out.

There's no European release date: for now, the Duck Kick is a Japan exclusive. The retail price hasn't been officially announced either, so European fans will have to wait a little longer to find out what it will cost.

In the meantime, if you want to browse other HUMAN MADE pieces, Slam Jam regularly carries items from the label.

With the HUMAN MADE Duck Kick, the label takes an important step toward footwear of its own, after years of collaborating with major sneaker brands. Whether and when the model will reach the European market remains unknown.

Keep an eye on the release calendar so you never miss a drop.

HUMAN MADE