Skip to main content
Buyer's Guide

Nike Space Hippie 04 Review & Sizing Guide

Published Updated

Nike Space Hippie 04 launched in 2020 as part of Nike's 'This is Trash' recycled-material experiment, with Space Waste Yarn and Crater Foam as the visible story. Buy it for the sustainability concept and lightweight feel, not broad versatility.

Key facts

Popularity
Cult attention persists, mainstream heat cooled.
Comfort
Lightweight feel, but cushioning feedback is split.
Fit
Usually half-size up; true-to-size also reported.
Value
Originally fair at retail, mixed at resale.
Use case
Best for casual daily wear and travel.

Full breakdown

Space Hippie grew out of a 2019 Nike sustainability project framed internally as making shoes from "space junk" — factory scrap and recycled materials with a low carbon footprint. The collection launched publicly in 2020 with several numbered models, and the 04 is the lightest, lowest-cut member of that family. Its speckled Crater Foam and recycled yarn upper make the recycled content a visible design language, which is the main reason buyers seek it out.

FAQ

Does Space Hippie 04 fit true to size?

Size up half a size is the safer Space Hippie 04 choice if you are between sizes. Fit feedback is mixed, but the model often reads slightly small even though the forefoot is not unusually narrow. Because the shoe is discontinued, condition and return policy matter more than usual.

Is Space Hippie 04 comfortable for walking?

Mostly, Space Hippie 04 is comfortable for light walking, travel, and daily casual wear. The light recycled knit upper and Crater Foam feel easy for some wearers, while others find the cushioning firmer than expected. It is not as predictable as a current Nike React lifestyle shoe.

Why choose Space Hippie 04 over Nike React Element 55?

Only if the recycled-material experiment is the reason you care, buy Space Hippie 04 over Nike React Element 55. Nike's design material explains the broader Space Hippie concept through Nike Space Hippie behind-the-design coverage. React Element 55 is simpler if you want a futuristic Nike look with more conventional comfort.

Does the recycled knit build change how Space Hippie 04 wears?

Yes, Space Hippie 04's recycled knit build makes it light and breathable but less polished than leather sneakers. It works with tech pants, shorts, sweats, travel outfits, and casual gym clothes, especially when the speckled Crater Foam is treated as the main visual detail. Avoid it for dressier outfits where the waste-material texture looks too rough.

Who should avoid Space Hippie 04?

No, Space Hippie 04 is a poor pick if you need consistent sizing, easy restocks, or a shoe that looks clean after heavy wear. Discontinued status makes the right size and condition harder to source, and comfort opinions are polarized. ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 is safer if you want a technical look with broader acceptance.