The Gato is Out of the Bag: Nike's Latest Retro
Reviving a hopeful wish from 2022.
Sometimes, when the dice roll, you hit double sixes and get another turn. A bit of good fortune is always welcome, and as of the other day, I found some of my own.
Back in July of 2022, I wrote an article for the SLS about underrated footwear, including a discontinued Nike sneaker. To my surprise, that sneaker—the Nike Gato—has made a triumphant return and is back online.
The Nike Gato, pictured above, had me caught in a whirlpool of interest back then and I was frequenting resale markets like eBay and Goat for a pair I could commit to—specifically a collaborative effort between Nike x Supreme. This version featured a crisp white upper, striking red accents on the side, tongue, and tag, and a gum sole perfect for everyday use. Because of the simplicity of the sneaker, I was keen to grab a pair for daily driving and stomping around. A good pair of beaters.
I never bought the Gatos, but I came close. While the resale price point kept me from pulling the trigger, my interest in the model has never wavered.
Clearly born from the fútbol world, it has a form and a style that I find appealing. Comparable to an adidas Samba, the Gato offers you a sleek, non-bulky, well cushioned, and simple design. The style of shoe that makes you want to take 10 steps back from the ball, exercise a deep inhale and exhale combo, and boot it at goal. We might not be doing that, but in the colorway I mentioned earlier—a nearly full arctic white upper aside from the suede toe cap—I believe this sneaker to be a fantastic option for wearing on the day to day in 2025.
Some days call for boots, others for loafers, but most days demand a simple, reliable sneaker that looks great and gets the job done. The Gato might just be that pair.
The Gatos are currently priced at what feels like a modest $110 USD, though they’re only available in this colorway for now. I’d be hard pressed to imagine that Nike would opt out of adding more variations down the road, but this is what we’ve got at the moment.
If you’re keen on the pair, I’ll link it here. And no, not an affiliated link! Just excited about these.
Now, go net that free-kick!