Is This New Shoe Nike’s Latest Answer to the Adidas Samba?
The Adidas Samba sneakers still can’t be stopped. Just when it seemed like the FNAA 2023 Shoe of the Year’s popularity had peaked, it continues to trend into fall ‘24. And based on new product shots of an upcoming Nike release, it appears that rival brands are still taking notice, too.
Shared by @EldenMonitors on X is a new Nike Killshot 2 Premium sneaker. By name alone it’s not particularly noteworthy — the Killshot 2 model has been a staple of Nike’s retro lineup for years — but the official Nike e-commerce imagery reveals a striking resemblance to some of the competition’s signature design elements.
Color blocked in a solid black with white contrast stitching and a dark brown gum rubber sole, this Nike Killshot 2 Premium is reminiscent of the black Adidas Samba. But it isn’t solely the coloring that recalls the Adidas aesthetic. The premium pair of Nike Killshot 2s is equipped with a removable fold-over tongue patch inspired by soccer cleats. It’s impossible to not compare that detail to Wales Bonner’s various Adidas Samba collaborations, which are some of the most popular variations of the model on the market today.
This upcoming Killshot 2 Premium, which is reportedly set to be released as an overseas exclusive during holiday ’24, is far from Nike’s first foray into the sporty 1970s look. The original Nike Killshot was released in ’79 as a performance court sneaker. In 2009, it was revitalized in the form of the Killshot 2 via a partnership with retailer J.Crew, which exclusively stocked the shoe until 2019.
During that decade, the J.Crew-exclusive Killshot 2 became a favorite among menswear enthusiasts, regularly selling out both in store and online. The Killshot 2’s popularity has since waned, but Nike has recently dipped into the archive to resurrect other era-specific sneakers including the ’74 Astro Grabber and early-1980s Field General football shoes.
It remains to be seen if this premium iteration can bring some energy back to the Killshot 2, but those who are interested shouldn’t have to wait long as the pair is set to launch sometime this holiday season. Find a full look at the upcoming release below and check back for more updates soon.