Update. Nike has resumed its partnership with Tom Sachs after pausing the relationship. Full details can be read here.
Tom Sachs has produced some of the most iconic Nike collaborations in recent history. From the space-themed Mars Yard series to his dad shoe-like General Purpose Shoe (GPS), Sachs and his NikeCraft partnership have hit on all cylinders. This partnership, however, all came to a screeching halt in early 2023 when allegations arose that he was running his New York City studio like a cult, among other troubling workplace behavior.
Since the allegations, we have yet to see a new Tom Sachs x Nike collab release. The last pair that dropped, the Nike GPS Brown, came in February, just over a month before these allegations arose. Nike told Footwear News it is "deeply concerned by the very serious allegations," while adding, "We are in contact with Tom and his studio, seeking to better understand the situation and how these issues are being addressed." But besides that comment, it's been quiet on both fronts.
In an update, Nike announced it will not work with Tom Sachs "at this time." Full details on this can be found here.
Before all this, Nike had plans to drop new colorways of the Nike GPS, including White Yellow, White Gorge Green, and Rattan pairs. Alongside a wave of GPSs, NikeCraft was gearing up to drop their latest silhouette from the Mars Yard line, the NikeCraft Mars Yard 3.0.
The last Mars Yard release, the Tom Sachs x NikeCraft Mars Yard Overshoe, was released in 2019. Fast forward to 2021, and Sachs enlisted himself and selected others to publicly wear test a sneaker many nicknamed the Mars Yard 2.5. This pair featured a similar look to the first two Mars Yard releases, with an added black rubber toe cap and modified ACG style sole. This pair also sports Nike React and Nike Flyplate technology, which should enhance comfort and durability tremendously.
Now, the NikeCraft Mars Yard 3.0 is set to debut. The pair will come in the familiar color scheme of natural, sport red, maple, sail, and black. While no images of the retail release pair have surfaced, Brendan Dunne posted an early wear-test sample, while another pair was available for a short time via Depop. The pairs have suede overlays around the mudguard, eyestays, and heel. A rubber toecap wraps up from the sole unit. No branding elements are visible on the upper, though again, this is just a wear-test sample and does not indicate the final product.
The Tom Sachs x NikeCraft Mars Yard 3.0 was originally set to release in the Holiday 2023 season. However, it was delayed due to the allegations mentioned above. It will launch in 2025 through Tom Sachs, Nike, SNKRS, and select retailers worldwide, in-store and online. Coming in men's sizing, retail is set at $275. Keep it locked to our Twitter and Mobile App to stay updated on future releases.
Tom Sachs x NikeCraft Mars Yard 3.0
Steve Jaconetta is the Head of Content based out of Connecticut. An encyclopedia for sneaker releases, he's covered the industry for over fifteen years. His stops have included Sole Collector, Complex, and StockX, to name a few. He considers the Air Jordan 11 Concord the greatest sneaker of all time and has a strong affection for 80s pop culture. Email: steve@soleretriever.com
