Some sneakers become trends, and some sneakers invented something. The Nike Moon Shoe Malachite Soft Pearl (Women's) belong to the second group: they're the direct descendant of the pair Bill Bowerman made by pouring rubber into his wife's waffle iron in 1971, the experiment that gave us the waffle sole and, basically, the modern Nike. That this legend now arrives in malachite green on a pearl base, and that you can finally buy it without bidding at an auction, is why this model has been all over TikTok and Pinterest for months.
The Nike Moon Shoe Malachite Soft Pearl (Women's) is the reissue of Nike's first waffle-soled model, created in 1971 for the 1972 Olympic trials. It pairs a nylon upper in Soft Pearl with suede overlays, a Swoosh in Malachite green and a gum waffle rubber outsole. Ultra-low profile, seventies runner aesthetic and a story no other silhouette can claim.
What are the Nike Moon Shoe and why are they called that?
In 1971 Bowerman, Nike co-founder and track coach at the University of Oregon, was looking for lightweight traction for the new urethane tracks. He looked at his wife's waffle iron (a wedding gift), poured rubber into the mold and out came the first waffle pattern in history.
The name came later: the marks those square lugs left in the dirt looked like the astronauts' footprints on the Moon. Hence, Moon Shoe.
Only twelve pairs of the original version were made for the 1972 Olympic trials. Geoff Hollister, a Nike employee, hand-stitched them one by one and attached the Swoosh with fishing line. An original pair sold for $437,500 at auction in 2019, so you can see why for decades this silhouette was more a museum legend than a sneaker.
Nike Moon Shoe Malachite Soft Pearl (Women's): materials and real details
In hand, the first thing that surprises you is the weight: they weigh almost nothing. The nylon upper is super thin, with that vintage tracksuit feel, and the suede overlays on the toe, eyelets and heel add structure without bulking up the shape.
- Upper: lightweight nylon in Soft Pearl with suede panels and overlays
- Swoosh: Malachite green on the side, matte, no shine or reflective details
- Interior: soft textile lining and removable padded insole
- Outsole: gum waffle rubber, Bowerman's original pattern with square lugs
- Silhouette: low profile, thin tongue and almost barefoot-like flexibility
The style code is IW0955-300, and the full colorway is listed as Malachite / Soft Pearl / Gum Light Brown. That gum outsole is key: it's what makes the green look archival rather than sporty.
How do the Nike Moon Shoe fit? Sizing guide
The consensus among people already wearing them is that they fit true to size, with one important nuance: the last is narrow, a direct legacy of seventies running shoes. If you have wide feet or a high instep, going up half a size will save your day.
There's the odd comment that they run half a size big, but it's a minority view. If you're torn between two options and your foot is regular or narrow, stick with your usual size. You can check the available sizes for this model at Next Step before deciding.
Are they comfortable for everyday wear?
For walking around, yes: the padded insole and the flexible nylon mean you forget you're wearing them from day one, no break-in needed. But let's be honest: this is a 1972 silhouette, not a modern running shoe. The outsole is thin and the cushioning minimal, so for twelve-hour days on your feet or for running, there are better models.
How to style the Nike Moon Shoe Malachite Soft Pearl?
The ultra-low profile calls for straight or slightly wide-leg pants, with the hem just grazing the instep so the green peeks out. With wide-leg jeans and short white socks, it's the look you see most on social media.
The palette works on its own: ecru, charcoal gray, classic denim and earth tones. The Malachite is deep enough to act as a neutral, so it doesn't clash with chocolate brown or burgundy.
- Everyday casual: straight jeans, a heavyweight white tee and a gray cardigan
- Sporty-chic: ecru pleated midi skirt and an oversize sweatshirt
- Minimal: beige wide-leg tailored pants and a poplin shirt
What sets the Moon Shoe apart from a Cortez or a Daybreak?
They all share vintage runner DNA, but the Moon Shoe is the first of the family: it's the one that debuted the waffle the others descend from. Compared with the Cortez, which has more volume and a visible midsole, the construction here is much flatter and more direct.
The Daybreak, for its part, uses a foam midsole and thicker overlays. The Moon Shoe gives all that up: less sneaker, more historical document. It's the pick for anyone who values origin over hype.
Where to buy the Nike Moon Shoe Malachite Soft Pearl in Spain
At Next Step you'll find the Nike Moon Shoe Malachite Soft Pearl (Women's) brand new and 100% authentic, with 14 calendar days for returns from receipt of your order and fast shipping to Spain and all of Europe.
It's the brand's founding piece and for decades it was practically out of reach. If the malachite green caught your eye, check availability and pick your size here before the core sizes sell out, as they always go first.
