Throwback Thursday: Nike Air Carnivore

The Nike Air Carnivore has always and will always be a love/hate shoe.  First released in 1993, the shoes were popular amongst some, but too much to the average Joe.  The Air Carnivore was one of the most technical cross training shoes of its time utilizing a perforated Neoprene boot and a series of straps to create a secure fit without laces.  Though the name of the shoe is the Air Carnivore, ironically, the shoe is technically vegetarian making use of synthetic Durabuck on the panels that appear to be leather.

I personally was fortunate enough to have a pair back when I was in the 4th grade.  It should be noted that this was only because they were on the $29 clearance rack at Big 5 Sporting Goods.  A handful of colorways were made in the Carnivore (my younger brother had the all black/purple), but this colorway could not come at a better time for Mighty Ducks of Anaheim fans who played in their debut season in ’1993-94.

Though the Nike Air Carnivore has been a popular piece in vintage head’s collections, the shoe has never returned as a retro.