Air Afrique Expands Formal Sneaker Hybrid Trend with Nike Air Max RK61

Published September 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM

Quick Facts

The Air Afrique x Nike Air Max RK61 is a formal sneaker hybrid
The RK61 takes inspiration from the original Air Afrique, a pan-African airline founded in the 1960s.
The Air Afrique x Nike Air Max RK61 will be released October 9, 2025.

We’ve had our eye on a few trends this season, and Paris-based creative collective Air Afrique just hit all of them on the head at the same time in a new collaboration with Nike. Crafting a new silhouette for Fall, the Air Afrique x Nike Air Max RK61 is a formal sneaker hybrid featuring a zipper-front construction that will debut in two subtly clean monochrome colorways.

The RK61 takes inspiration from the original Air Afrique, a pan-African airline founded in the 1960s that connected the African diaspora to Europe and America. The leather RK61 harkens back to the days when people dressed up for flights, mixing dress shoe aesthetics with sportswear comfort. The upper is a sleek, two-panel design with a zipper front, while the thick, split sole has a slight bump out for a taller heel. An Air Max unit shaped like a jet engine is placed in the heel. Finishing the upper is the zipper pull with the original Air Afrique logo, and a jacquard sockliner reminiscent of old-school airline seats.

“The notion of Air is deeply connected to our history: Air Afrique, the airline itself, took to the skies to transcend cultures and newly independent African people,” says Ahmadou-Bamba Thiam, a member of the Air Afrique collective and editor of its magazine. “We also speak of Air as a symbolic, metaphorical elevation through culture and humanity. This concept was really our starting point for the product design and was central to creating the elegant silhouette of the Air Max RK61.”

This year has seen every brand in the sneaker space embrace hybrid kicks with formal footwear uppers and sporty soles, including Nike’s own loafer-inspired shoes. Along with the zipper front and monochrome color-blocking in the black and coconut milk debut colorways, the Air Afrique Air Max arrives at a perfect time to capitalize on the footwear trends of the moment.

The Air Afrique x Nike Air Max RK61 will be released October 9, 2025 through Nike and select retailers in-store and online. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $210. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.