Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
First released in 1992, the Tinker Hatfield-designed Nike Air Trainer Huarache is a brilliant study in minimalism. Taking the bulky cross-trainers of the era and poking holes in the upper, Hatfield made the shoes light but secure, with an internal bootie holding the foot in place. The classic shoe has returned to the Nike lineup throughout the years alongside a handful of its Huarache counterparts, and in 2014, Nike dropped a “Love & Hate” pack featuring a black 3M Nike Air Flight Huarache Premium and a red suede Nike Air Trainer Huarache. Now, Nike is bringing the love back for Valentine’s Day, with a retro of the red suede pair just in time for the holiday.
The Nike Air Trainer Huarache Challenge Red is the love side of the Love & Hate pack from 2014, so it’s only fitting that it comes back for February. The colorway features red suede across the entire upper with perforations on the toebox. The forefoot strap and inner bootie are black with a red sockliner and red heel tab. The two-tone colorway is finished with a black midsole with red paint specks and a semi-translucent red outsole.
Nike Air Trainer Huarache Challenge Red
The Air Trainer Huarache came back into fashion most recently at the end of 2024 thanks to a collection of collab colorways from Corteiz. The hype continued into 2025, with a steady run of releases dropping during the first half of the year. Nike took it easy on the silhouette for the second half of the year, but don’t think it’s going anywhere. The early 2026 retro is another clear sign the Huarache will never disappear.
The Nike Air Trainer Huarache Challenge Red will be released Febraury 6, 2026 through Nike and select retailers in-store and online. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $170. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to keep up with all the latest Nike retro drops.
