These New RTFKT Virtual Sneakers by Nike Do Not Require Owning an NFT: What’s Going On?

Fashion behemoth Nike has pre-launched new RTFKT Dunk Genesis sneakers that do not require an expensive NFT to buy.

The public presale of the new real-world kicks went live on Monday, letting anyone buy the sneakers without owning an RTFKT non-fungible token (NFT).

The drop is now live. The @RTFKT x Nike Dunk Ghost and Void editions are now available for pre-order at https://t.co/nVV3ffzdjv.

Oops, you stepped into the future! pic.twitter.com/g28DMjV3wK

— Nike (@Nike) November 20, 2023

The website noted that Dunk Genesis is designed with creators, gaming and internet culture. Further, the sneakers are equipped with removable mods and interchangeable vial attachments.

The phase 1 pre-sale live drop has ended on November 20 with two drop times. The RTFKT x Nike Dunk Genesis comes in two editions – Void and Ghost – which are sold at $222 a pair.

The Void edition shipping will take place before July 31, 2024, while the Ghost edition will ship before August, 31.

Additionally, the new launch is associated with t-shirts for the collab with both brand logos and a quote written in the front – “Oops, You Stepped Into the Future.”

The website confirmed that these are not digital collectibles and are real physical sneakers that are made-to-order.

Embedded NFC Tags: What Are They?

The latest launch of Nike’s new RTFKT Dunk Genesis sneakers is tied to NFTs with an embedded near-field communication (NFC) chip within the sneakers.

These tags “will allow for the redemption of a digital collectible, however, this is an optional experience,” it noted.

It is unclear on which chain will Nike and RTFKT use to mint the associated NFT collectibles. RTFKT has previously been minted on Ethereum (ETH).

The launch comes after both companies launched the RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 sneakers earlier this year. The purchase of the previous version required an NFT to redeem for the real-world shoes. Another notable launch of sneakers required an Ethereum NFT to buy shoes.