Style And Substance
Nike’s new Vista Grind sneaker is a buzz-generating blend of sustainability, style and cutting-edge technology
How many pairs of sneakers do you have in your closet right now? We’re betting it’s more than a handful, and that the vast majority of them are in day-to-day rotation rather than confined to your gym bag. Over the past few seasons, the sneaker has evolved from a purely functional necessity into a high-fashion hero piece, an object of sartorial desire and a regular on Fashion Week front rows and Instagram feeds alike.
Nike knows a thing or two about making seriously good sneakers. The big-hitting US brand and its now iconic Swoosh logo have been worn by some of the world’s biggest and best sports stars over the past 56 years thanks to its pioneering approach to performance-enhancing technology. It’s earned its fashion stripes, too, courtesy of collaborations with the likes of Sacai, Comme des Garcons and Off-White. Which means it’s ideally placed to conjure your dream sneakers: pairs that have all the directional details that you could hope for combined with the comfort and cushioning that comes from decades spent fine-tuning their shoes for elite athletes. Good news for your closet and even better news for your feet.
“Nike’s enthusiasm for innovation is being channelled into sustainability alongside performance
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The latest buzz-generating addition to its women’s offering is the Vista Grind. Photographed for NET-A-PORTER on track and field champion Morgan Lake, against the backdrop of Crystal Palace’s National Sports Centre, it’s a bold and brilliant sneaker; a vision in neon that blends eye-catching shades with a chunky, futuristic silhouette. And because Nike’s enthusiasm for innovation is being channelled into sustainability alongside performance, this is the first of its sneakers to use recycled scraps of its lightweight, go-faster foam ZoomX.
Styling-wise it’s a fail-safe, statement-making shape which means you can wear it with pared-back basics and let it speak for itself (nothing makes neon pop quite like setting it against an all-monochrome look), or maximize its impact by mixing it with print and color. It’s a natural fit for the more street-inspired pieces in your closet such as hoodies, elevated track pants and belt bags. But they’re more versatile than you might think at first glance: try wearing yours with your prettiest, easy-breezy summer dresses to give them an urban edge, or with the fashion editor-approved uniform of straight-legged jeans, a T-shirt and oversized blazer