From URL to IRL: Exploring Yeti Out's 'LOST SIGNAL' Nike Collaboration

Arthur: It’s kind of wild. We grew up saving money to buy AF1s and Air Maxes, so the brand’s definitely been in our lives, whether it’s seeing our favorite basketball players wear signature shoes or our favorite music artists.

Eri: It's a huge milestone for us—something to tell my son about when he's older and thinks I’m not cool anymore.

Tom: It's definitely been a trip and blessed to work with the NSW team here [in Shanghai] to make our wild ideas come to life.  

Arthur: During 2017 YoHood weekend [China’s annual streetwear convention], we provided the sound to [street photographer] 13th Witness' Exhibition at NikeLab X158, and last year we launched the Yeti Out x Nike AV021 workshop series, which explored audio and visual design within club culture. So It’s been a natural progression working towards a shoe release.

Eri: Aside from the “LOST SIGNAL” theme, this release was also part of the Nike By You initiative where they tapped different “Change Makers” to be part of the project. We worked on the React Vision alongside our friends [and GREATEST stockist] at DOE, a Shanghai-based streetwear brand and retailer that has a cool boutique store. 

Tom: The sneaker release is part of a larger project we’ve been working on at Shanghai’s On Air studio titled “LOST SIGNAL,” which explores the relationship between URL and IRL in club culture. The project was an eight-week residency, which included a photo and flyer exhibition from our past events, a series of zine-making and screen-printing workshops and a pop-up radio station that featured local artists and DJs. The last part of the project is this sneaker release, which falls under the same theme. 

Tom: As mentioned, comfort is key. We wanted to work on a design that’s lightweight and flexible but also hasn’t been widely customized before.
Eri: Of course, we’re fans of the AF1 and Air Max 90 and 95, but given that we only get one first Nike collab, it was cool working on a model that no one else has ever worked on.

Arthur: The React Vision also has an extended heel guard which gives the sneaker a unique design finish. We wanted to create a design that mixed both modern and classic elements. For the ‘Metallic White,’ the mesh upper, tape-seam heel and neoprene and suede sock liner give the shoe an athletic style, but the tumbled leather eyelets and off-white sole rounds out the shoe with a classic finish. Similarly, for the ‘Voltage Purple,’ the print on the neoprene heel and tongue pulls graphic reference from retro Nike tracksuits worn in the ‘90s at raves. The heel and tongue tab for both styles feature tribal print inspired by mid-late ‘90s jungle and hardcore party flyers. 

Eri: Absolutely. Our React Vision features breathable mesh and is lightweight. This is practical for DJs who tour and travel a lot. We love the Air Max 90 and 95 but it’s still quite a clunky silhouette.

Arthur: The leather eyelets give the sneaker a dapper finish, but it also gives the sneaker volume and exaggerates the otherwise flimsy mesh upper. Given its flexibility, the sneaker is also sturdy, with a heel guard giving utmost support, while the neoprene tongue is harnessed down to the in-sole with elastic support, creating a glove-like fit that’s flexible without losing shape. 

Tom: You can pack both colorways and they’ll still be lighter than a pair of classic AF1s.

Eri: We love sneakers, but we also want to use this opportunity to talk about something we’re all experiencing: connectivity. It’s important for the shoe to be stylish as it is in bearing a message. 

Arthur: It’s important to stay connected, to be on top of current affairs that shape the world today. Yet, it’s also important to disconnect and know when to disconnect. Yeti Out started throwing parties when we used Blackberrys. We started as a blog, pre-Instagram, pre-Snapchat, pre-Stories. Although it seems normal to capture every moment of your life, we came from a time when putting on shows meant going to places purely to enjoy music. Going to a place where there’s no WiFi, no signal—just a dark room, a DJ and a great sound system. On the one hand, “LOST SIGNAL” celebrates dance culture through the use of signals, such as its role in connecting music and communities through radio, live streams and such. Yet, we also want to highlight the importance of disconnecting and enjoying the present with no distraction.

Arthur: The Metallic White colorway draws inspiration from the cold wires that make up telecommunication, and the concrete walls we’re accustomed to at a basement club or dive bars. The Voltage Purple silhouette draws inspiration from the warm neon lights we’re accustomed to in our home cities: Hong Kong, Shanghai and London.

Eri: When the lights turn on, we get to work. Neon signs and lights are synonymous with Yeti Out’s aesthetic.

Tom: The list goes on: Tokyo, Seoul, New York, and all the other places we’re fortunate to tour and play parties at. We’re city kids at heart.

Arthur: Purple is definitely our colorway from day one, [starting with] our Yeti mascot and OG logo from 2010. Additional design elements can be seen in the electric wire hoop, a modern symbol of our "lifeline." The velcro attached to the hoop, when torn, creates static-like white noise; the intense signal processing sound which makes up our modern heartbeat.

Tom: We hope to continue our relationship with Nike. The core of Yeti Out is its community, conversation and experiences. Music has been the tool for us to activate our ideas. We would like to continue to explore concepts and stories through different experiences.  

Eri: Sneaker design is a tool just like how film and a record release is a tool, we don’t want to be confined in the way we express our ideas. 

Arthur: Whatever’s comfortable and keeps you dancing all night!