Walmart and Nike: the collab no one asked for

The Nike Swoosh is one of the most iconic logos in the world. It’s more than a brand symbol. It’s a badge of culture, performance, and status.

On a pair of sneakers, especially a retro, it signals credibility. Design intention. Value.

And no sneaker carries that weight quite like the Air Jordan 1.

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Since Michael Jordan first wore them in 1985, the Jordan 1 has become a staple in both sport and style. For many sneakerheads, it’s the ultimate go-to. A must-have. A classic.

The silhouette has seen hundreds of remixes and rereleases. Highs, lows, mids, collabs, exclusives. But through it all, one detail always remained.

The Swoosh.

It’s not just part of the design. It’s part of the identity. The Swoosh is what makes a Jordan 1 unmistakable.

The Swoosh disappears

So when Nike recently announced the return of a lesser-known retro, it felt like a chance to lean into that legacy. A moment to tap into history and bring something iconic back into the spotlight.

But what Nike delivered took a very different turn.

The logo was gone.

Nike’s latest sneaker drop sparks Walmart-level comparisons

Image source: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Nike’s Swooshless comeback sparks backlash and Walmart jokes

Nike is bringing back the Air Jordan 1 Low NS: a retro release originally introduced between 2016 and 2018. NS stands for “No Swoosh.”

It didn’t take long for the internet to weigh in.

One Reddit user, u/TotallyTardigrade, wrote, “These look like Walmart sneakers lol.” u/IamTacowolf added, “I feel like I’ve seen these at Walmart for 24.99.”

u/lRushdown compared them to knockoffs, calling them “Temu Jordan.”

And the roast continued with u/Chronic_The_Kid saying “Making your own shoe look counterfeited is so backwards.”

Retail:

Not everyone is hating though. Redditor u/H1Ed1 said, “I actually like them.” And honestly, same. I'm a fan. Haters gonna hate.

There’s something oddly satisfying about the chaos.

A sneaker designed to defy expectation is now dominating online discourse — not with hype, but with confusion, laughter, and maybe a little curiosity.

So why would Nike rerelease a sneaker that fans once skipped and are now roasting all over social media?

One reason might be timing. The original Swooshless drops sat on shelves, but in 2025, quiet luxury is trending. Stealth design is in.

That stripped-back, logo-free aesthetic has gained popularity in high fashion and premium streetwear circles, where minimal branding signals status in a more subtle way.

Nike might be trying to tap into that energy. A way to offer the Jordan 1 in a form that feels elevated, premium, and different — even if some think it missed the mark.

There's also nostalgia. This is the kind of weird retro that grows a cult following after years of being forgotten.

And for sneakerheads who want something not everyone’s wearing, a Swooshless Jordan is basically the opposite of hype.

Is this the next big sleeper hit? Probably not. But it’s memorable, conversation-starting, and surprisingly wearable.

Even if it does kind of look like a Walmart exclusive.