Nike mocked for ‘moldy’ $180 recyclable sneakers: ‘Dumpster Dunks’

One man’s trash is another’s coveted shoe of the season.

Nike has been ripped by footwear fanatics for the brand’s ISPA Mindbody sneaker, which features a worn-in aesthetic that’s more akin to a Yeezy cleat than Nike’s staple sleek styles.

The mud-colored trainer, which is also available in neon green, is more an eye sore than a streetwear score, according to critics online who have slammed the $180 tattered mesh shoe that launched earlier this year.

Held together sans glue by cords, the shoe is meant to be “easily disassembled,” according to the website, which also makes them recyclable when returned to a Nike boutique.

While the company defines the adventurous footwear as “the new definition of R&R” with its “oasis” foam midsole, aghast sneakerheads on Twitter likened them to something “picked out of a landfill.”


Nike ISPA MindBody in olive green
Critics blasted the rugged shoes as “prehistoric.”
Jam Press/Nike

The shoes are held together by a system of cords, according to Nike.
Jam Press/Nike

Nike brand-inspired riffs by critics include: “Dumpster Dunks,” “Nike Air Scraps,” “Foot Fungus,” “The Homeless 1s” as well as one foul comparison to “shredded snake skins.

On Facebook, disgusted customers compared the raggedy, olive-hued shoes to “the lungs of a pack a day smoker,” criticizing the costly footwear as moldy and hideous, per Jam Press.

But not all the comments were sour. On the product listing page, two brave reviewers applauded the post-apocalyptic footwear.


"Prehistoric footwear," wrote a Facebook user named Suzy
Despite the rare compliment, most reviews were not-so-rave.
Jam Press

"The lungs of a pack a day smoker," wrote one Facebook user named Ashely.
Critics on Facebook and Twitter slammed the new style of durable footwear.
Jam Press

"Yuk, they look mouldy," another Facebook user wrote named Terri.
Disgusted sneakerheads called the shoe moldy and trash-like.
Jam Press

“One of the most comfortable shoes I own definitely would recommend,” one anonymous buyer wrote, rating the product as “very durable” with five stars.

“Love them. Wear anywhere,” another agreed, rating the shoe five stars as well. “Don’t walk on wet ground with these. Feet and socks will get wet. Has small holes for ventilation in sole.”

The ISPA trainers are the epitome of anti-fashion — not polished and pristine, but rugged and raw.

Elitist footwear, then, has become an unsightly experiment capitalizing on the virality of its shock factor.


Nike ISPA MindBody in olive green from the bottom
The trainers sell for a whopping $180.
Jam Press/Nike

heel of Nike ISPA MindBody in olive green
They’re more akin to a Yeezy trainer than a sleek Nike tennis shoe.
Jam Press/Nike

up close photo of cord laces on Nike ISPA MindBody in olive green
Harsh critics slammed the shoe for looking like it came from a “landfill.”
Jam Press/Nike

MSCHF’s Big Red Boots were an overnight sensation. Prada’s puffy renditions of their classic loafers had fashionistas on cloud nine. Dolce and Gabbana’s drawstring runners became a meme-able laughing stock.

Forget quiet luxury, wardrobe opulence is now bold, loud and a little bit ugly — and, according to the not-so rave reviews, Nike is no exception.