Kendrick Lamar’s penchant for endorsing under-the-radar Nike sneakers is second to none.
Never one to simply wear the latest release or hottest collaboration of the moment, the Compton, Calif.-born rapper often sticks with models that are true to his roots and 1990s upbringing, whether it’s the West Coast-favorite Nike Cortez or the signature Deion Sanders Nikes worn by Lamar at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. With that in mind, it shouldn’t have been too much of a shock to see the “Not Like Us” rapper step out in an off-the-beaten-path Nike shoe during an New York City excursion last week.
Photographed arriving to a recording studio in NYC’s West Village Wednesday, Lamar sported his go-to blue New Era fitted cap (likely a Los Angeles Dodgers cap featuring the branding of Lamar’s pgLang company) with a crisp white T-shirt, baggy jean shorts and a flannel button-up slung over his shoulder. But it was the rapper’s footwear that drew the most attention, as he laced up November 2024’s Nike Zoom Vomero Roam release in its “Flax” color.
This particular colorway of the Nike Zoom Vomero Roam is a women’s style, but with footwear gender boundaries becoming more blurry by the day, that’s not what makes it an unexpected wear for Lamar. The Roam variation of the model is a beefed-up, extra-durable iteration of Nike’s popular Zoom Vomero 5 retro running shoe. Described by Nike as a “winterized” version of the runner, the Zoom Vomero Roam includes added rubberized panels and water repellency intended for wet weather. Despite its seasonal upgrades, Lamar made the sneaker pairing look right at home on a warm May day.
Lamar’s brand association has become increasingly valuable. After pairing Celine jeans with his aforementioned Nike sneakers during the Super Bowl Halftime Show, the French fashion house was said to have received a media impact value boost of $2.3 million. Meanwhile, his Nike Air DT Max ’96 sneakers brought the sportswear company $1.69 million worth of exposure.
The Nike Zoom Vomero Roam debuted at retail in November. The model retails for $180 and is available from Nike’s e-commerce site in a variety of men’s and women’s styles. For those seeking a discounted pair of the “Flax” sneakers worn by Lamar, a small number of select sizes are going for $108 at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Source: Women's Wear Daily
