For the Beijing Games in 08 Nike took their footwear offering in a radial new direction, coming out with designs for taekwondo, gymnastics and equestrian. The most notable pair was the Ippeas, which was named after the Greek word for ‘rider’, and was credited through the lens of a sneaker made for horse riding. Full-length room Air cushioning laid the foundation, alongside a screw-in system for spurs that were inspired by track spikes. Elsewhere, high-abrasion rubber was added the medial for improved grip, and rubberised pads were fixed to the outsole to provide traction on stirrups.
Arriving in three years, the Nike Equestrian Boot was allegedly designed by Swoosh legends Tobie Hatfield and Leo Chang. The construction features an asymmetric zip, with Swoosh branding and matching full-set of apparel.
Don’t expect the Nike Equestrian Boot to release to the public, if it does though we’ll keep you updated!
Read up on some of the most legendary Olympic sneaker moments right here.