In honor of Pi Day 2024, a day traditionally celebrated with mathematical reverence and culinary delight, we've decided to slice into a unique fusion of food and fashion: pizza-themed sneakers. Over the years, the love for pizza has transcended the boundaries of the kitchen, spilling over into the world of footwear with some of the most savory designs ever to grace the sneaker culture. From collaborations with actual pizza companies to limited edition releases by giants like Nike, adidas, New Balance, and Reebok, pizza-themed sneakers have carved out a niche of their own, blending the zest of cheesy slices with the zest of street style.
Whether you're a sneakerhead with an appetite for unique designs or a pizza lover with a taste for fashion, this roundup of the best pizza-themed sneakers of all time promises to deliver a feast for the eyes. So, lace up your favorite pair, and let's embark on a flavorful journey through the most memorable pizza-themed sneakers ever to hit the streets.
Skate Mental x Nike SB Stefan Janoski Pepperoni Pizza
Skate brand Skate Mental teamed up with Stefan Janoski on his signature Nike SB silhouette in 2016 to bring a slice of pepperoni pizza to life. The canvas upper on the ever-popular Janoski was covered in a pizza graphic, complete with sprinkles of Italian seasoning, pepperoni slices, cheese, and sauce.
Scarr’s Pizza x Nike Air Force 1 Low
One of the most limited sneakers in recent memory (rumored to only have 48 pairs) and one that fetches astronomical prices on the secondary market, Scarr’s Pizza's Nike Air Force 1 Low was crafted for friends and family of the Lower East Side pizza joint. Scarr’s logo is embroidered on the lateral heel, and the shop's phone number is printed on the upper in a 3M finish. Other details include the shop's old Orchard Street address and personalized messages from Scarr’s and DJ Clark Kent.
Nike Terminator High TSU
Though not overtly an homage to pizza, the Nike Terminator High TSU was crafted as part of Nike’s Yard Runners series, honoring HBCU graduates, and was designed with the help of the founders of Slim & Husky’s Pizza, Clinton Gray, EJ Reed, and Derrick Moore. Nods to TSU’s football team, the university’s founding year, and the mascot, Slim & Husky’s Pizza, appear via the tongue tag and the insole.
Cuts & Slices x adidas Forum Hi
Another pizza shop given creative liberty over a sneaker design, NYC’s Cuts & Slices teamed up with adidas on the Forum High silhouette. Not only is the shop’s color scheme translated onto the all-leather sneaker, but the address, 93 Howard Ave, Brooklyn, NY, is located on the lateral heel.
adidas Adistar 1 Refuel
Almost everyone can agree that NYC is home to the best slice of pizza, and adidas likely agrees as their performance running sneaker, the adidas Adistar 1, was given a color scheme that pays homage to NYC pizza. Alongside hosting a checklist of all the boroughs of NYC, the sockliner and color scheme resemble something you’d find in an Italian-run pizza shop within the city.
Refinery29 x adidas Ultraboost Pizza
Limited to just one pair, albeit a commissioned customized sneaker, Refinery29 and adidas tasked a group of female artists to design 50 sneakers representing each of the 50 states in the US. Jen Mussari represented New Jersey with her take on the Ultraboost, created 3D pepperoni slices, and added overlays that resemble actual slices of pizza.
Mache x New Balance 57/40 National Pizza Day
Outside of his customized sneakers for athletes, Dan Gamache (AKA Mache online) collaborated with New Balance on the 57/40 silhouette to celebrate National Pizza Day in 2022. Inspired by his upbringing in NYC and his current residence in Connecticut, Mache added a color palette that translates to the ingredients required to make a pizza.
Asphalt Gold x Reebok Classic Nylon Pizza
EU-based retailer Asphalt Gold teamed up with Reebok on the Classic Nylon to pay homage to pizza and its Italian heritage. Themes of Italy are found on the tongue tag, which features the nation's flag, while pizza logos are in place of the usual Reebok umbrella logo. On the insole, Asphalt Gold reminds you that “Sharing is caring,” this theme is also present on the pizza box-inspired packaging.
Anta GH2 Pizza
Gordon Hayward’s Anta GH2 was given a pizza makeover in 2021 with the performance basketball sneaker featuring graphics of pizza ingredients below its ripstop nylon upper. Alongside these ingredients, cheesy yellow hues that melt along the edge of the sole unit and tomato sauce red hues surrounding the Anta logo, tie in the theme of a pizza slice.
Pizza Hut Pie Tops II
While all the previously mentioned sneakers have come from major footwear brands, this entry comes from someone unexpected in the sneaker space — Pizza Hut. The Pizza Hut Pie Top II, created in collaboration with The Shoe Surgeon, is more of a novelty than a traditional sneaker release, featuring integrated pizza ordering technology seamlessly incorporated into the design. Pushing the button on one of the tongues will order a pizza if connected via Bluetooth to one's phone. The other tongue features a button that pauses the TV as the sneakers were created to market Pizza Hut as the official sponsor of March Madness in 2018.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
