Even if you weren’t around the sneaker game in the 2010s, you know that Tom Sachs’ Mars Yard sneaker with Nike is one of the most sought-after releases of the last decade. The original and the 2.0 versions are one of a few sneakers that the culture wholeheartedly agrees deserve the coveted “grail” status. After a rocky last two years for Tom Sachs, he has officially unveiled the Mars Yard 3.0.
To provide some context as to what has taken Sachs and Nike so long to launch the pair initially slated to release during the Holiday 2023 season, Tom’s relationship with The Swoosh was put on hold following a story from Curbed that accused Sachs of a toxic workplace. The accusations went further than that, including Nazi imagery and sexual comments made to workers. Still, after the relationship was put on hold, Nike resumed the partnership, stating, “Tom has demonstrated and recommitted to fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity. We can confirm that our work with Tom will continue, and this next chapter of NikeCraft will uphold our shared passion for team, product, and storytelling excellence. More details to come in 2025.”
Early imagery of the wear-test sample for the Mars Yard 3.0 appeared online in November 2024, but now Sachs has officially unveiled the sneaker in full. The original color palette from the Mars Yard 1.0 and 2.0 remains here, mixing maple, sport red, sail, and tan hues on the upper. Suede paneling covers the mudguard, eyestays, and heel overlays, while a TPU toecap provides extra protection.
Other updated details include an open mesh polyester build on the base layer, an added lace keeper, staggered eyestays, and oversized eyelets. Below, the sole unit is beefed up compared to the original, featuring a full-length React foam midsole and a TPU heel clip for stability, while the outsole comes with a natural rubber and a carbon fiber plate.
“At a glance, nothing about the Mars Yard 3.0 has changed from the previous iteration,” says Tom Sachs, the famed sculptor and designer behind NikeCraft. “But while this shoe looks like earlier Mars Yard footwear, it couldn’t be more different. Every single thing is completely new — the tooling, midsole, outsole, toe clip, heel clip and feel. Even the packaging, which looks like the previous version, is completely re-engineered from scratch to be reusable.”
The Tom Sachs x NikeCraft Mars Yard 3.0 will release September 5, 2025, via Tom Sachs' I.S.R.U (In-Situ Resource Utilization) challenges. Each week, new challenges will drop via the NikeCraft Instagram and the I.S.R.U app. Completing these weekly challenges will give you the chance to purchase the shoe on his website.
“Mars Yards have always been hard to get, and they’re always going to be hard to get. If you want them, you’re going to have to work for them,” says Sachs. “Maybe not all of the challenges are for you. That’s OK. What matters is that you do what resonates. I can’t guarantee you will get the shoes, but I can promise your life will improve by participating in meaningful daily routines.”
Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is $275. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
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Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
