New York City-based artist Tom Sachs and Nike are ready to reprise their collaboration. The 58-year-old creative recently shared that his Mars Yard 3.0 collaboration will release throughout September 2025.
Sachs shared the news via Instagram, sharing a picture of the sneaker captioned with "Action will be required." At quick glance, the NikeCraft project resembles past iterations of the highly-coveted Mars Yard silhouette, but close inspection (and Sachs' notes) reveal a number of improvements to the shoe.
The Nike Mars Yard 3.0 maintains the 'Natural/Sport Red/Maple' colorway with which it debuted back in May 2012. An open mesh polyester base sets the stage for changes like silkscreen-printed profile swooshes; TPU toecaps; and TPU heel clips. Tweaks to the eyestays and straps around the ankle also ensure the model's third (full) iteration is more durable and wearable.
The improvements aren't exclusive to the pair's top-half. The bulk of the Mars Yard 3.0's updates from 2017's release appear throughout the cushioning and traction setup. While no longer built atop Nike Free's ultra-flexible tooling, Tom Sachs' next collaboration with the Swoosh delivers a comfortable and responsive ride. Nike React foam (similar to what appears on the Pegasus 41 running shoe) ensures a more robust cushioning solution than past iterations. A natural rubber outsole features flex grooves at important zones to not hinder movement and ground feel. What's most interesting about the Mars Yard 3.0's sole unit, however, is the inclusion of a carbon fiber plate. The component – presumably Nike's own FlyPlate – is visible from the outsole.
Sachs' choice to include a carbon fiber plate in his NikeCraft design is curious given the Swoosh's use of the stiffening agent across other products. Nike Running has used this element in its top-of-the-line racing models to enable forward propulsion for elite athletes. Although the brand's FlyPlate-assisted footwear like the AlphaFly 3 have done wonders in the realm of sport, independent scientists and researchers have found that consistent use of such stiffening agents (which are usually accompanied by soft, super critical foams and aggressive rockers at the forefoot) increase the likelihood of chronic injuries. If the Mars Yard 3.0 is meant for daily wear, then, an aggressive and rigid carbon fiber plate might not be the most comfortable element to have underfoot. It's possible Sachs want his latest swoosh-branded collab to have firmer footing in the performance realm, but the silhouette's weight makes this difficult: It weighs 465 grams (16.4 ounces) in a Men's Size 9. (By comparison, the marquee AlphaFly 3 marathon racer weighs 218g/7.7oz in a bigger Men's Size 10.)
Tom Sachs' Nike Mars Yard 3.0 will surely sell out when it releases throughout September, but it isn't free of controversy. Although the American artist has enjoyed the heights of success in the art world, he only became a household name in the world of sneakers in the late 2010s. His Mars Yard 2.0 went on to fetch thousands of dollars on the after-market, with its 'Natural/Sport Red/Maple' color combination becoming iconic. HIs success with the Swoosh led him to develop another silhouette called the General Purpose Shoe (GPS). The silhouette launched in early 2023 to much fanfare given its understated aesthetic, price point, and wide-retailer accessibility (including Kohl's).
Weeks later, however, Sachs' relationship with the Oregon-based sportswear juggernaut would come to a halt.
In early March 2023, allegations about problematic, uncomfortable, and traumatic behavior in the work place were raised by some of Sachs' former employees.
"We are still all very scared of Tom...This job ruined the art industry for me. My psychiatrist had a field day," said a former studio fabricator to Curbed, the publication that broke the news. Interviews with over a dozen former employees resulted in claims of Sachs' studio being cult-like and without boundaries.
Shortly after allegations spread throughout social media, Nike, Inc. shared a statement with Complex: "We’re deeply concerned by the very serious allegations. We’re in contact with Tom and his studio seeking to better understand this situation and how these issues are being addressed."
Insight as to how it would be investigating allegations against Sachs was never made public by the Swoosh, but its response was quickly criticized by many.
Netizens took to the internet to express distaste in Nike's "understanding" decision. Months earlier, the brand was swift to reprimand and severe its relationship with NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving over a tweet he published linking to a film containing antisemitic material.
Folks who spoke with Curbed shared that a swastika-shaped cross was taped onto the first-aid kit in Tom Sachs' studio. According to the artist's studio, this was an attempt by Sachs, who is Jewish, "to subvert and reclaim this painful part of Jewish history."
Nike, Inc. might be guilty of a double-standard, but that doesn't oblige consumers into purchasing any of Sachs' work. Regardless, Instagram comments on the Mars Yard 3.0's unveiling suggest dozens of folks are ready to pay whatever it takes to add the shoe to their collections.
A Nike SNKRS launch should take place before September ends, but Tom Sachs will also likely release a limited number of pairs early via some sort of boot-camp or competition in New York City or online.
Stay tuned for firm release updates. While you wait, stay up-to-date with all Air Jordan Releases remaining in 2025.
