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Last summer, Emily Adams Bode Aujla, founder of the cult luxury menswear label Bode, brought the Astrograbber back from the archives. First introduced in 1974, the vintage silhouette was designed by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman and was one of the first football shoes ever to feature the now-iconic waffle sole. While the Bode collaboration sold out in seconds (as expected), the Astrograbber is finally getting the general release treatment we've all been waiting for – starting with the Nike Astrograbber Fir.
While previous Astrograbbers have been crafted from canvas, mesh, and even leather, this version opts for a buttery smooth nubuck that looks – and feels – seriously premium. The entire upper is dipped in a lush forest green, contrasted with an oversized Swoosh in Sail that glides across the lateral and medial sidewalls. Additional Nike branding appears on the tongue, and everything is tied together with a set of unique, two-tone laces for that extra retro touch.
Of course, you just can't talk about this archival model without giving the midsole its flowers. Just like the original from five decades ago, it's crafted from plush rubber and finished with Nike's renowned waffle tread for next level grip and traction. It's proof that, sometimes, classic design still outperforms the latest tech. In a market dominated by modern innovation, this sole reminds us just how much brilliance came out of Bowerman’s early experimentation.
The Nike Astrograbber Fir is set to release in Fall 2025 alongside a series of other colorways. It will be available at Nike and select retailers online and in-store in unisex sizes. For your best chance to cop, make sure you download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Nike
Adam Cheung is a writer and editor who specialises in sneakers and streetwear. Over the past few years, he's curated features and guides for everyone from Burberry to Nike. Often travelling between the UK and Hong Kong, don't be too surprised if you find Adam anywhere else around the world taking street photography or feasting on the local delicacies.
