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The NikeSKIMS Waffle Racer is the next sneaker from NikeSKIMS. After the Rift, the label from Kim Kardashian and Nike now turns to a runner from the archive.
The NikeSKIMS Waffle Racer arrives in three colorways, exclusively in women's sizes.
What stands out most is what hasn't changed. The proportions and construction stay close to the running shoe as it existed in the late seventies.
No extra logos or prints on the upper: the co-branding sits only on the tongue label.
According to Nike, that upper combines nylon with suede and leather overlays. Underneath sit a foam midsole and a rubber Waffle outsole, which the brand says delivers durability and traction on different surfaces.
That sole comes with a story. In 1971, Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman was looking for more grip on the University of Oregon's new synthetic track.
He poured liquid urethane into his wife Barbara's waffle iron, which stayed glued shut for good. The idea worked anyway. A year later, athletes wore handmade prototypes, known as the Moon Shoe, at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene.
The Oregon Waffle followed in 1973 and the Waffle Trainer in 1975, Nike's first big commercial hit. The Waffle Racer builds on that heritage: a slim, low runner that Nike itself describes as a breakthrough that changed the future of running.
Three colorways, one calm line
The Baroque Brown/Velvet Brown/Off-Noir/Velvet Brown (IW3882-200) keeps things dark and understated in a range of brown tones.
The Light Bone/College Grey/Phantom/Varsity Red (IW3882-002) is the lightest of the three, with a red Swoosh as a clear accent against the pale base.
The Thunder Blue/Blue Eclipse/Coconut Milk/Muslin (IW3882-400) sets deep blue against cream tones, with a light Swoosh on the nylon.
Each pair comes in its own shoebox, with a dust bag and an extra set of laces.
That fits how NikeSKIMS works. Nike and SKIMS announced the brand in February 2025 as a dedicated sub-label with its own team, similar to how Jordan Brand operates within Nike. The focus is on women: training apparel, footwear and accessories.
The first collection arrived in September 2025. Familiar Nike models, but with a tight colour palette and little fuss.
In 2026 the partnership really picked up pace. January brought the first NikeSKIMS sneaker: the Rift Mesh, a take on the split-toe Nike Rift, in three monochrome colorways.
Early February saw the Spring 2026 collection with BLACKPINK's LISA in the lead. The campaign was shot in Paris and, alongside new apparel, introduced the Rift Satin.
In March, Kim Kardashian stepped in front of the camera herself for the second spring drop, featuring bodysuits, sports bras, shorts and leggings.
At the end of October, NikeSKIMS launched its Fall 2026 collection, including outerwear for the first time: sherpa jackets and vests plus water-repellent nylon jackets, with University Red as the standout colour. The Rift Satin also gained new colorways in Shadow Brown and University Red.
With the Waffle Racer, a second sneaker model now joins the line-up.
NikeSKIMS Waffle Racer price and release
On the European site of Nike, the NikeSKIMS Waffle Racer is listed as 'Coming Soon' for €119.99. An official release date for Europe hasn't been confirmed yet.
Don't want to wait? You can already shop the current NikeSKIMS collection at Nike. Besides Nike, SKIMS also sells the collection through its own NikeSKIMS channel.
Want to know when the NikeSKIMS Waffle Racer actually lands? Keep an eye on the release calendar.
