About
The Waffle Trainer, Air Force 1 and Vaporfly meet never-shown prototypes from Nike's 200,000-object archive, opening at MAD on Columbus Circle.
The show is drawn largely from the Department of Nike Archives, a collection of more than 200,000 objects never before publicly accessible at this depth, and it puts experimental prototypes, original design studies and one-offs beside the icons: the Waffle Trainer, the Air Force 1, the Air Jordan, the Air Max, Flyknit and the Vaporfly. It is organized in four chronological sections, opening with "Track" and the 1960s under Bill Bowerman, with exhibition design by JA Projects. If you have ever ar
What to expect
A design-history exhibition rather than a product display: prototypes and studies shown alongside finished shoes, organized chronologically so the engineering problem behind each breakthrough is legible. Expect dense object labels, archival material that has not circulated before, and an opening-weekend crowd on MAD's stacked gallery floors.
Good to know
- This is the opening weekend of a long run — it stays up into next spring, so a return visit is easy.
- MAD sits at Columbus Circle; the A/B/C/D and 1 all stop at 59th St–Columbus Circle.
- The museum's galleries run across several floors, so allow time and use the elevator between them.
- It suits design, sport and fashion audiences equally — you don't need to be a sneaker collector.
- Opening weekends draw the biggest crowds; a weekday visit later in the run will be quieter.
- Check MAD's hours before traveling, as the museum is closed on some weekdays.
Common questions
Is this a traveling exhibition?
Yes. It was originated and organized by the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany, and MAD is presenting its US premiere. It is the first comprehensive museum exhibition devoted to Nike.
What is actually on view?
Experimental prototypes, original design studies, rarities and one-offs drawn mainly from the Department of Nike Archives, shown alongside icons including the Waffle Trainer, Air Force 1, Air Jordan, Air Max, Flyknit and Vaporfly.
How long is it up?
It opens September 12, 2026 and remains on view through March 7, 2027.