Collector Spotlight: A Nike Air Foamposite Collection That's Out Of This World
Via @iamdavidnyc
Among all the retros we’ve seen this year, one that’s creeping back into sneakerheads’ consciousness is the resurgence of the . Originally launched in 1997, the futuristic Foamposite ushered in a new breakthrough in technology with its uniquely moulded upper – the result of a $750,000 deal to have the mould made by car manufacturer Daewoo. But deals like that mean their creations won’t come cheap, and even though ballers like Penny Hardaway loved the Foamposite, it failed to find much commercial success the first time around. Nike continued to use the ‘posite tech in shoes like the and Air Flightposite, but the OG Foamposite and Foamposite Pro silhouettes were shelved until their 10-year anniversary. It was this era of Foams that delivered a ton of iconic pairs, like the riot-inducing ‘’, the glow-in-the-dark , and the spacey ‘Chromeposite’ – all of which fetch insane prices on the resale market. Streetwear and designer brands have also embraced the bank-busting Baller silhouette, with skatewear connoisseurs giving the Foamposite a regal makeover, while a co-sign from took the style to new heights. For 2024, to the model, a is on the way, and it's been confirmed that the ‘Galaxy’ colourway is set to make a comeback next year too.
To celebrate its return ahead of what’s gearing up to be a big few months for the Foam, we caught up with , one of the biggest Foamposite collectors in the game, to discuss his 207-pair-strong collection.
So, give us the rundown. What’s your name, where are you from and what’s on foot right now?
My name is David, I’m from NYC and today I’m wearing my Foamposite 1 Sample in ‘Black/Volt’.
When did you start your Foamposite collection and why did you find yourself drawn to the model?
I started collecting Foams back in 2010. What originally drew me to collecting Foams was simple: they looked cool and only the cool kids had them. I bought the Foamposite 1 ‘Pewter’ with my first paycheck.
What’s been your favourite Foamposite find so far?
So far, my favourite find has been the Foamposite 1 ‘Armory Blue’, which is the sample version of the Tekken 8 x Foamposite 1 ‘Kazuya Mishima’. I just love the colour, it’s very unique.
Which pair holds the most sentimental value for you?
The ‘Pewters’ hold a very special place in my heart as that’s where my obsession started.
Do you have a scary or funny sneaker story you can share with us?
My wife works for Foot Locker and back in 2020, the Foamposite Pro ‘Halloween’ got delivered to her store. At that point, NOBODY knew about them dropping. She sent me a picture and I posted it on my Instagram. Everybody was going crazy – every blog was posting them. It got so crazy that we were scared that her manager was going to find out. Thank god he never saw the picture.
How do you store and/or catalogue your collection and do you have a plan for when they start to crumble?
I keep them inside a container box. Luckily Foams don’t usually turn into dust. If anything, the outsole will start separating and turning yellow.
Is there a grail you’re still searching for?
Not at the moment – I have every Foam I ever wanted.
Show us three of your rarest pairs.
- Foamposite 1 Sample ‘Black Volt’
- Foamposite 1 Sample ‘Abalone’
- Foamposite 1 Sample ‘Armoury Blue’
Which 2024/25 Foamposites have caught your eye, and what would you like to see for the silhouette going forward?
I would love for Nike to go back to their roots when it comes to Foams. It would be great to see more solid colourways and more exclusive drops. In terms of what’s caught my eye, the Tekken foams definitely caught my attention. In my opinion they're the best foams of 2024 for sure. Going into 2025, I'm looking forward to the Galaxy coming back! Hopefully they don't ruin the unique print.
Frothing over Foams? Check out our list here.