A Look Back at the Best HTM Releases Ever Made

Nike has been known to collaborate with some of the best over the years from designers to musicians and athletes. One mash up that manages to catch the attention of Swoosh fans is surely the title of HTM. Standing for cultural consultant Hiroshi Fujiwara, designer Tinker Hatfield and Nike chief executive Mark Parker, this meeting of the minds has managed to generate a respectable list of limited products that have sent sneaker enthusiasts into frenzies. Spanning from Nike’s Basketball line to running and sportswear, the HTM collaboration possesses no limits when it comes to collective creativity. The trio began its run back in 2002 and has released 17 pieces of limited-edition footwear since then. As explained via Business of Fashion, HTM’s initial goal was to test the limits of current products by enhancing present technology along with taking its ideas to new heights. With each release holding a personal relationship to each member, you’ll find inspiration from different facets of culture such as music, fashion and more incorporated within. Additionally, much reason for HTM’s positive release results can be credited to its limited quantities. In comparison to your usual Nike shoe being produced with 3,000 pieces, an HTM collaboration can be limited to as little as 60 units as well as being available at limited select retailers only. Nonetheless, as long as Nike continues to innovate, the three-headed monster known as HTM will surely continue to develop unforgettable offerings.

Below, we chose our favorite sneakers to ever don the HTM branding — a tough feat to accomplish given the extraordinary catalog of its rare releases. From running shoes to basketball trainers, each sneaker won over our hearts, minds and wallets during its release and, unfortunately, afterwards in the grey markets. Which was your favorite Hiroshi-Tinker-Mark drop? And when can we expect another stellar HTM?

Nike Air Force 1 HTM

Placing their own signature touch on one of the Swoosh’s most iconic shoes, HTM begin its hype dominance with the Air Force 1. Using the silhouette in 2002, 2004 and 2008, each rendition possessed its own style ranging from croc skin, Hiroshi’s special Fragment touch and a quality spin on the classic. Making sure not to compromise a model that has helped power Nike to where it is now, HTM Air Force 1s hold a respectable position among the best of the trio’s work.

Nike Flyknit Racer HTM

During the time of its debut back in 2012, Nike’s Flyknit Racer was set to take the Swoosh to new heights thanks to its innovative Flyknit Technology. This special HTM edition incorporated the colors of the USA Track & Field squad which helped debut the colorway during the trials in January of 2012. In traditional fashion, the Nike Flyknit Racer HTM was release in limited quantities exclusively at 1948 London and are as rare as ever to find now.

Nike Air Woven Rainbow HTM

Arguably possessing the most unique look out of the bunch, the Nike Air Woven silhouette also managed to innovate simply due to the construction. Its one-piece upper — a trend we see everywhere now from Nike and its competition — removes your traditional lacing system for a woven elastic webbing perfect for a quick slip-on. With a creative HTM stamp added, the silhouette hosted a multicolored upper that would surely make it stand out in comparison to its rivals.

Nike Free Flyknit 5.0 HTM

Taking on another Free Flyknit running model, HTM mixes thing up within the Swoosh’s Nike division with the release of the Nike Free Flyknit 5.0 HTM. By exchanging the Free Flyknit Runner’s original upper with that similar to an upper from a Flyknit Trainer and matching it with a Free ultra-flexible sole, the 5.0 HTM reached new heights of comfort, style and usability. HTM’s take on the Nike Free Flyknit 5.0 was dubbed as a “silent release” and dropped in limited quantities consisting of Volt, grey and yellow based colorways.

Nike Free Mercurial Superfly HTM

Placing a spin on the soccer cleat with the same title, the HTM edition of the Nike Free Mercurial Superfly received a subtle black and eyecatching volt colorway upon their respective releases. Keeping the upper of the original silhouette in tact, Hiroshi, Tinker and Mark swapped out the spikes for a Free 5.0 sole for the everyday wearer. In addition, leather was added to its heel wrap for further support and style.

Nike Kobe X Elite Low HTM

To follow up the success of the Nike Kobe IX Elite Low HTM, an additional set of Kobe signatures was released using Bryant’s following model, the Nike Kobe X Elite Low HTM. The trio managed to raise the bar that they previously set by releasing three colorways which were inspired by different facets of Kobe Bryant’s game on court. Thanks to the positive reception the Nike Kobe X Elite HTM received, a fourth colorway of the silhouette was released in anticipation of the reveal of Bryant’s last shoe he’d wear on court, the Nike Kobe 11.