The moment has finally arrived. NikeSKIMS just dropped its first shoe—and it’s a ballet sneaker with a tabi-inspired twist.
Nearly one year after Nike revealed its partnership with SKIMS, the debut footwear style is here, and it couldn’t be timed better.
Launched on January 26 at 7 a.m. PST, the NikeSKIMS Rift is a modern update to Nike’s Air Rift, the split-toe running shoe first released in 1996. Inspired by Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, the original design was built with barefoot runners in mind, using the split toe to support natural movement. Since then, the Air Rift has earned cult status, returning as a lifestyle favorite in recent years.
NikeSKIMS’ version leans fully into balletcore, pairing the iconic tabi toe with a minimalist midsole, a single midfoot strap, and a sleek, sculpted profile. Kardashian called the ballet flat both “powerful and beautiful” in a press release, explaining that the Rift’s legacy made it the right place to start.
With more footwear already confirmed for future seasons, this drop (which completely sold out in under an hour) feels like just the beginning. Keep scrolling for the Rift Mesh ballet sneaker below, plus more viral ballet sneakers worth shopping.
