Tom Sachs' Nike Mars Yard 2.5 Has Arrived for Wear Test
Pairs of the Tom Sachs x Nike Mars Yard 2.5 have begun to arrive after the brand previously solicited help from fans to wear test the latest iteration of Sachs' distinctive Mars Yard shoe.
A look at the collaborative sneaker in the signature Mars Yard colorway has surfaced courtesy of @thedropdate and @wideawakearthquake. "This 'BEFORE' shots will be used as a reference. Let’s see how they’ll change after constant wearing," @wideawakearthquak said on Instagram.
The Mars Yard 2.5 Wear Test is part of Sachs and Nike's collaborative NIKECRAFT initiative, which focuses on the examination of products. To help improve the design, the NIKECRAFT community has been asked to put the Mars Yard 2.5 through the wringer by recording personal experiences with the shoe and providing feedback.
“With this particular challenge, we are engaging people to really think about this shoe and bring different perspectives, both culturally and environmentally,” said Sachs. “This is an opportunity to invite a larger audience to really indulge in our favorite part of the process — learning about things and making stuff. The process is the most valuable thing, and if the end result is a great pair of shoes, that’s fantastic. But I think it's really important that the testing process celebrates the journey.”
Those interested in wear testing the Mars Yard 2.5 were originally instructed to submit an application in the form of a one-minute video uploaded to Instagram, explaining why they wanted to participate. After testing, the shoes are to be returned so they can be sanitized, studied, repaired, and reissued. You can find out more about the program on nikecraft.com.
In conjunction with the Mars Yard 2.5 Wear Test, NIKECRAFT is furthering its research on the proper care of footwear, with a goal of making more sustainable products that can be "worn to death."
Press play below to see Tom Sachs himself wear testing the Mars Yard shoe.