Is Stüssy Bringing Back Its OG Nike Air Huarache LE Collaboration?

Tinker Hatfield‘s Nike Air Huarache LE first released in 1991, which means this year marks the sneaker’s 30th anniversary. Over the past three decades, the Huarache has been subjected to a number of collaborations, but none was more impactful than their reworking by Stüssy, which gave the pair an overhaul back in 2000. At the time, they were created in an unofficial collaboration for the brand’s U.K. Chapter Store by Nike’s Fraser Cooke and Stüssy’s Michael Koppelman.

Now, rumors are circulating that the long-standing partners could be bringing back their original Huarache collaboration, after a pair of the sneakers appeared in the brand’s Spring 2021 lookbook. Stüssy and Nike had a stellar collaborative output in 2020, delivering sneakers such as the Stüssy x Nike Air Force 1 and Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2  — so, while right now it’s no more than gossip, bringing back the Huarache would seem to make natural sense.

From what we can see in the lookbook, the speculated collaboration would offer a Stüssy x Nike Air Huarache LE in the 2000 colorways of “Desert Oak/Reed/Light Straw” and “Dark Olive/White/Varsity Maize/Ivory,” served in a mix of suede and neoprene. Like the original pairs, this would be complemented by a chunky Air-filled midsole, retro roundel branding on the tongue, and other signature components such as the heel clip. However, Huarache heads and the eagle-eyed among us will notice the Spring 2021 pair’s heel clip is finished in navy blue, as opposed to the “Desert Oak” colorway’s brown-tinted clip.

Stüssy x Nike Air Huarache LE “Desert Oak,” 2000Stüssy

The fan-favorite sneaker sold out instantly in 2000 and has since gone on to become one of the most collectible Huaraches around. Its later collaboration in 2003 saw Stüssy take on the Nike Air Huarache Light in green and orange, both of which fetch around $1,000 USD on the resell market today — and even more if you have an early un-released pair with the Stüssy logo embroidered onto the side, which was a first for any Nike collaboration and remains as one of the rarest Stüssy x Nike partnerships ever made.

As the Huarache turns 30 years old, rumors are also circulating that Nike would be bringing this style back nonetheless, as it typically does with other classic pairs. As seen in the Stüssy Spring 2021 lookbook images above, the pair seems to utilize the OG-style tooling in favor of a more streamlined aesthetic, staying true to the duo’s original collaboration.

So far, we have nothing but rumors to go off. However, if they’re right the Stüssy x Nike Air Huarache LE return will surely become an early contender for sneaker of the year. Stüssy’s next collection is set to release on February 5, while some sites are stating a February 12 release for the Huarache in “Desert Oak.” Take a look at the sneaker above, and stay tuned for more information as news unfolds.

In case you missed it, check out this week’s installment of Sole Mates, in which we spoke with NOAH’s Brendon Babazien.