Nike Pays Tribute to the Discontinued NYC MTA MetroCard on a Suede Air Force 1 ‘01

Gen Xers, millennials, and even some Gen Z New Yorkers have a new “back in my day” authenticity claim for their superiority complexes. If you talk to old-timers about New York of the past, they’ll talk about how when things were really good, the subway still ran on tokens. Now that NYC’s trains take tap to pay, younger generations will get to say the same thing about the recently discontinued MetroCard.

Bing Bong

To celebrate the now-retired disposable swipe cards, Nike is bringing the iconic NYC accessory to the latest pair of the newly revived Air Force 1 ‘01 shape, harkening back to a simpler time at the top of the millennium. Following collabs from Steven Victor and NIGO, the in-line MTA pair brings suede to the silhouette for the first time in years.

Starting with a full coat of College Grey suede on the upper, the Swoosh adds a Pink Glaze shade on the backing, leading to more Pink Glaze on the suede loop hanging down above the midsole (a shoutout to the hanging straps on old MTA trains) and on the semi-translucent outsole. A classic yellow and blue replica MetroCard is added as a hangtag accessory, with an NYC hit on the back of the tongue to bring it all together.

Nike Air Force 1 Low '01 MTA Release Details

The Nike Air Force 1 Low '01 MTA will be released Holiday 2026 through Nike and select retailers in-store and online. Available in unisex sizing, the retail price is set at $150. For all the latest Nike Air Force 1 ‘01 news and drop info, download the Sole Retriever App.