My Favorite Everyday Nike Sneaker in Years Just Leveled Up, Again

The new C1ty Premium is halfway between a retro hiker and classic work boot.

Published March 24, 2025

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Released in the fall of 2024, Nike’s C1ty sneaker looked like an instant classic. It wasn’t by accident.

As I wrote upon its release, the everyday shoe married elements from the Nike’s General Purpose Shoe (a sold-out collaboration with the artist Tom Sachs) with the increasingly popular Field General, including a molded cup sole, microfiber collar and iconic waffle sole.

tan nike shoes — The C1ty released in late 2024. It came in a handful of understated colorways, including “Brownstone” (pictured).

What’s more, the C1ty came in a bounty of urban-friendly colorways and cost just $100 — less than a pair of Dunk Lows or Air Force 1s.

Now it’s leveling up in the form of the C1ty Premium, which brings upgraded materials and an outdoorsy edge to my favorite Swoosh release in years.

City’s finest

Though the C1ty Premium has yet to appear in the States, the shoe first broke cover on Nike’s Chinese website, where it’s already available for purchase.

At launch, it looks like there’s only one colorway, dubbed Wheat Yellow, which comes across as a saturated version of the “Brownstone” hue seen on the standard C1ty.

While the suede paneling carries over to the Premium model, mesh makes way for a Cordura-reinforced upper, as evidenced by a label located near the heel cup.

Of course, the upgrade may affect the shoe’s overall breathability in warmer weather. However, it promises improved weather protection through spring showers or impromptu day hikes.

That outdoorsy theme also carries over to the laces, where Nike swapped out traditional flat lays for round Taslan-esque laces like you might find on a pair of hiking boots or Red Wings.

Together with metal eyelets (a new addition on the C1ty Premium), the new laces and Cordura upper make this the most versatile, rugged and, dare I say, best-looking version of the C1ty yet.

Pricing and availability

The C1ty Premium has yet to show up on Nike’s US website, however, a price of 899 Chinese Yuan (around $124) suggests a small price increase over the standard C1ty ($100). Look for it to make the trip overseas in the coming weeks.