P-6000

The iconic Pegasus line

In the early 1980s, Nike released its first ever Pegasus running shoe. Responding to the needs of athletes, the brand filled it with the best technologies of the time, including its bouncy Air cushioning, which back then was still relatively new. Over the next decade, the series grew and grew, always evolving with the runners it was made for. In the mid to late 90s, though, the Pegasus fell out of favour, and it wasn’t until 2000 that it made a strong comeback as Nike doubled down on its commitment to the running community. This began a prosperous era for the model that delivered some of its most beloved designs. Nearly two decades later, a deep nostalgia for Y2K styles led to the development of the Nike P-6000 – a classy tribute to the Pegasus runners of the new millennium.

Changing trends

The creation of the P-6000 was influenced by the changing fashion trends of the 21st century. In the 2010s, the rise of normcore saw understated casual clothes with a strong functional element become widely popular, which in turn led to a burgeoning interest in retro footwear from the 80s and 90s, whose main focus was often comfort. Sneaker fans donned chunky designs from that era, and a trend emerged for so-called ‘dad shoes’, many of which were practical running trainers from the turn of the millennium. The Nike Pegasus was the archetypal model, but by this point the line had moved on, and contemporary versions looked almost nothing like those of the 2000s. Not only did they have a different appearance, they were also packed with high-tech features like Zoom Air and ReactX foam, which naturally produced a sleeker, more futuristic style. So, like many other footwear companies, Nike rereleased classic Y2K silhouettes like the Pegasus 2005. However, unlike some of its competitors, the brand decided to create a completely original model that both emulated and celebrated the 2000s runner.

A pair of inspirational shoes

To design its new dad shoe, Nike looked to the Pegasus models of the noughties, with two in particular informing its construction. These were the Pegasus 25 and 2006, both of which featured a mesh upper with undulating synthetic leather panels flowing over the top. The P-6000 borrowed this highly breathable design and added even more vertical and horizontal overlays to form a latticework structure across the entire outer. Its midsole also took on the wavy grooves of both these Pegasus silhouettes, while its outsole had the classic Waffle grip pads that have been used on so many of Nike’s running shoes. The windowed panels on the toe and heel were also similar to those of the Pegasus 2006, as were its swoosh logos, which had a central body of moulded leather and a thickly embroidered outline.

A stylish lifestyle sneaker

Although it featured the aesthetic of a retro runner, the Nike P-6000 was actually a well-crafted lifestyle sneaker for casual use. Its lightweight, flexible upper was surprisingly durable, with a padded tongue to reduce lace pressure and a structured build that stopped the foot from rolling over. Meanwhile, its sole unit incorporated engineered EVA foam to provide excellent cushioning for light running and everyday wear. Underfoot, the square-shaped lugs and flex grooves spaced out across its hard-wearing rubber outsole ensured reliable traction without inhibiting the natural movement of the foot. This practical build was backed up by the shoe’s understated appearance, which incorporated metallic tones, classy branding and Bowerman Series text on the lace loop. This paid homage both to the brand’s inspirational co-founder and the fact that the Pegasus models it was based on were both performance running shoes in Nike’s honorary series of athletic footwear.

A rapid rise

When the P-6000 first came out in 2019, its stylish, nostalgic look was perfectly on-trend, and despite its low-tech build, it was incredibly comfortable while also being durable, flexible and lightweight. It quickly attracted a solid following, even in the presence of more advanced models like the Vomero 5, and was used in a collaboration with women’s sneaker boutique Naked Copenhagen. Together with the Danish brand, Nike produced a striking Metallic Silver and Volt green colourway that perfectly encompassed the compelling retro-futurist aesthetic of the Y2K era. In fact, it made such a strong impression that Nike introduced a whole new collection of general release designs in 2023 and 2024 alongside further collaborative sneakers, such as the premium edition created with Canadian streetwear boutique Makeway. The brand even brought back a fan-favourite edition from 2019 in the form of the Platinum & Varsity Red colourway. It is rare for a Nike silhouette to receive a retro release so soon after its initial launch, thus proving the remarkable popularity the P-6000 managed to achieve in such a short amount of time.

Honouring the past

The Nike P-6000 tapped into the mood of a generation, developing a loyal fanbase who were taken by its vintage styling and its comfort-giving features. Impressively, it did all of this without the use of any big-name technologies, and yet it was still lauded as practical, comfortable and stylish. Ultimately, its success was in its celebratory nature, which honoured Nike’s rich running shoe heritage, Bill Bowerman’s creative prowess and the brand’s ability to produce magical designs from the most rudimentary beginnings.