From Nike Air to Bike Air: Nigel Sylvester’s Swoosh Catalogue
have always had an ever-expanding roster of collaborators and have hosted big names across sports and entertainment. There’s a special sect within that stable though, hand picked to become the prolific partners with sizeable offerings on the most elite silhouettes. One of those is BMX pro , who’s been making waves since joining forces with the Swoosh in the 2000s. Following a stint with , Sylvester signed with in 2021, where he launched back-to-back critically acclaimed bangers. With the ‘Brick by Brick’ almost ready to touch down, we have looked back at Nigel Sylvester’s time on Team Swoosh and his greatest hits.
Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 ‘Brick by Brick’ (2025)
The latest from the BMX superstar and Jordan Brand is the Air Jordan 4 ‘Brick by Brick’, which has caused mass hysteria for sneakerheads and dominated the hypewaves for the past few months. Coming in hot and heavy with a full ‘Firewood Orange’ colourway, it was initially rumoured to be a friends and family exclusive, but Sylvester himself confirmed that they’ll launch in March. The roll-out for this release has been one for the history books, with the BMX legend driving around NYC in a mega brick truck. Behind each of Sylvester’s pairs is unparalleled storytelling, and it’s the same with the ‘Brick by Brick’. The orange/red colour palette comes from the red bricks that NYC is renowned for, along with the notion that we build our dreams and goals 'brick by brick'.
These bad boys were also a victim of the recent train heists that took place over the past twelve months! Read about that .
Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 RM ‘Bike Air’ (2024)
It’s not often that we get a new variation of one of signature silhouettes that is actually good. We can probably count the amount of times that has happened on one hand, and that of course includes the which Sylvester helped to debut. He crafted a duo of ‘Bike Air’ iterations, one dubbed ‘Grandma’s Driveway’ and another called ‘Driveway Grey’. No doubt these set up the success of the AJ4 RM, which has since gone on to be a GR heater.
Nigel Sylvester x Jordan Air Ship PE (2023)
Nigel Sylvester’s Nike Player Exclusive injects BMX energy into the mid-'80s basketball icon, merging high-energy riding aesthetics with premium craftsmanship. Inspired by his upbringing and hometown of Queens, NY, the design features a sail-coloured leather upper accented by deep royal blue suede hits on the Swoosh and collar. A distressed finish enhances the shoe’s well-worn character and gives it the appearance of a battle-tested favourite, while pre-aged midsoles and subtly scuffed overlays mirror the natural wear from Sylvester’s relentless riding.
A nod to his BMX roots, ‘BIKE AIR’ replaces the classic ‘NIKE AIR’ branding on the heel, reinforcing his imprint on the silhouette. Inside, insoles emblazoned with the word ‘Go.’ serve as a subtle call to action– reflecting Sylvester’s signature drive to push forward. While the Air Ship was originally a stepping stone for Michael Jordan before the Air Jordan 1, Sylvester’s take proves its versatility far beyond the hardwood.
Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 1 ‘Noise Cancelling’ (2019)
Nigel Sylvester’s 1 ‘Noise Cancelling’ Air Jordan 1 took a stripped-back approach – quite literally. Gone were the pre-scuffed, battle-worn energy of his first Jordan 1 collaboration. Instead, this pair arrived in a clean, triple-white execution that was built to evolve over time. This blank-canvas concept encouraged endless customisation, a fitting tribute to Sylvester’s freeform riding style. The minimalist look was more than just an aesthetic choice – it symbolised the impact of noise-free focus, a key theme across Nike’s entire Noise Cancelling Pack, which also featured icons like Odell Beckham Jr. and Na-Kel Smith. Released exclusively in New York City to celebrate the Jumpman’s new flagship, pairs were uber-limited, making them a collector’s item for BMX heads and Jordan fiends alike.
Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 1 (2018)
Not everyone gets to boast about having an collaboration, let alone having it be your first, but Nigel Sylvester can! For the BMX rider’s first Jay, he designed a pair that’s made to be worn. The upper is stained with a sepia-esque tone and boasts distressed details along the toe and heel. Traditional side Swooshes have been switched for stitched holes and a white outline. In his signature style, Sylvester added an embroidered mini Swoosh on the forefoot. A couple years later, Sylvester pulled up in this , but that remained in the vault.
Nigel Sylvester x Nike SB Dunk High 'S.O.M.P.' (2014)
Back in 2014, Sylvester linked up with the crew at for the ‘S.O.M.P.’ – Standing On My Pedals for the uninitiated. A super slick fusion of skate and BMX DNA, the build kept it tight with black suede, metallic silver Swooshes, and low-key safari print on the heels. Down below, a gum sole locked in that classic finish, whether you were pushing or pedalling. Co-signed by the late DJ Clark Kent, the ‘S.O.M.P.’ model packed a premium punch with Euphoria nubuck – usually a bespoke flex – giving it an edge over your standard-issue Dunk High. No wild colours, no gimmicks, just mighty solid execution. Ten years on, it’s still cash. While it may not be the flashiest SB Dunk, its versatility and premium materials ensure its place in SB Dunk lore.