Gamers Are the New Athletes in Nike and Martine Rose's Latest Collab

Nike and Martine Rose's latest collaboration merges "nerd core" with "jock core," reimagining the worlds of sport and gaming as one. Continuing their eight-year partnership exploring unconventional subcultures, the duo spotlights gaming as a form of athleticism and self-expression.

True to Rose's fascination with identity and culture, the campaign repositions the gamers as today's athletes, spotlighting esports stars ANa, Billy Mitchell, Scarlett, SonicFox and TenZ. Their achievements are cast through the nostalgic lens of vintage Nike ads once reserved for sporting legends. It was about time esports took on the fashion field.

The collection draws from 1990s LAN parties, communal gatherings where players gamed together for hours, in comfort-driven, practical clothing. That sense of ease and intensity informs the oversized hoodies and track pants, which nod to Martine Rose's symbolic SS15 one-look show, now reimagined in a gradient wash for a worn-in finish. A bold red colorway references early-2000s grime culture and the underground artists who championed the Nike Shox during their rise. Completing the clothing lineup, a redesigned football kit riffs on '90s club uniforms with modern paneling and a new Nike x Martine Rose crest, while a ski parka pays tribute to "nerdwear" through its retro tech detailing.

At the center of the collection are the Shox MR4, a boundary-breaking silhouette first introduced in 2022. It now returns in two new colorways in all-red and white and silver. The stretched mule design, lifted heel columns and squared toe continue Rose's play with proportion and contradiction, subverting what a sneaker can be. We can't wait to stun with these on our commute.

More than a fashion statement, Nike x Martine Rose Sport celebrates the democracy of gaming, a space defined not by physical strength but by creativity, precision and community. As Rose puts it, "It's the idea that anyone can be a hero, and I love that, that anyone can find a place in gaming where they're celebrated for skill. It's not about your physical prowess, it's about something else."

In a celebration of individuality and expertise, the two brands continue to push the possibilities of what sport can be, both in action and in fashion.

The collection will be available from October 30 via the Nike website.

In other news, check out Jordan's collection with Youssouf Fofana.

Click here to view full gallery at Hypebae