New York's least-loved commuter finally got a shoe, and it's an Air Force 1. The Nike Air Force 1 '01 "Subway Rat" (IV6999-001) dropped today, Wednesday, October 7, on SNKRS and at select Nike Sportswear retailers for $150. Nike lists it as "College Grey and Pink Glaze" and never once says the word rat. Everyone else has said nothing but.

The joke works because the shoe is actually good. Shaggy College Grey suede covers the whole '01 build, toe to Swoosh, so it reads like fur from across a platform. Pink Glaze shows up on a translucent outsole and a little pink "tail" at the heel, there's NYC embroidery behind the tongue, and the insoles carry pizza-slice graphics, because no New York rat has ever turned down a slice. The best detail is the yellow hangtag, a dead ringer for the MetroCard with a blue Swoosh where the logo used to be. The MTA retired the MetroCard at the end of 2025, so this might be the only one you'll ever swipe again, and it doesn't even open a turnstile.

Nike shot the campaign the right way too, with the pair hanging off a stairwell rail and sitting on grimy concrete steps, which is about as close to a subway platform as a $150 sneaker should get. It's also the opening act. A furrier, darker Air Force 1 Low "NYC Rat" (IV4884-200) is listed for October 23, so the city's rodent era isn't over yet. We covered that one here.

SNKRS was still showing pairs when we checked this afternoon. Grey suede and pink soles won't be for everyone. But if you've ever watched a rat drag a whole slice down the stairs at 14th Street and thought "respect," this one's for you.

Key details
Model: Nike Air Force 1 '01 "Subway Rat"
Colorway: College Grey/College Grey/Pink Glaze
Style: IV6999-001
Price: $150
Release: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 (SNKRS, Nike.com and select retailers)

Sources: Nike SNKRS launch page and images; release details also reported by Nice Kicks. Hangtag and insole details via IAMHIPHOPMAG and Nike's images.

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