Nike SB GTS Return Premium Takes On Familiar "Safari" Colorway

Nike SB is using its sleek GTS as a tribute to influential Nike Sportswear releases this spring, and the first homage-packed colorway of the low-top skate shoe to appear is a recognizable “Safari.” A Tinker Hatfield-designed shoe from 1987, the Air Safari‘s recognizable pockmarked print was inspired by high-end couches and has been used on everything from a legendary atmos take on the Air Max 1 to the Air Presto and Foamposite One. Here, however, it adds street style to a performance skate sneaker.

Midfoot overlays and Swooshes alike are constructed of a stark black leather, while toeboxes and tongue attachments opt for a true-to-the-original chestnut brown leather. Remaining pieces like mudguards and heel clips are covered entirely in the famous patterned print. A chestnut sockliner and small branded embellishments on the heel/tongue tag complete the top half. Down below, the thin white rubber midsole is equipped with an embossed Nike SB graphic. Outsoles are constructed of high-tack black rubber, split between circular traction in the forefoot/midfoot and linear traction in the heel for exemplary board control.

The Nike SB GTS Return Premium “Safari” is available now via atmos, and is priced at ¥9,000 JPY (approximately $82 USD). More commemorative styles are set to follow in the coming months.

For more safari-inspired skate shoes, get a detailed look at the Nike SB Dunk Low “Safari.”