The day I (and many other Canadians) have been waiting for has finally arrived. For years fitness fanatics, sports enthusiasts and sneaker heads have longed for access to Nike’s complete in-market product offering and delivery. Now Nike, the world’s largest sports brand, has launched dot com here in Canada. What does this mean for you? Access to a greater assortment of product 24/7, 365 days a year and will include exclusive product drops, more product choices, and wait for it…Nike ID services. Winter and subsequently Christmas is just around the corner, so the launch timing couldn’t be better. Now all you street athletes and weekend warriors can get access to the right gear to for your winter workouts plus the brand’s other latest innovations just in time for the holiday season.

To celebrate this exciting news, I stopped by Toronto’s Nike Loft to get a personal one-on-one appointment to design my first pair of Nike ID’s. This probably sounds like a fun activity, but to be quite honest it was probably the most stress I have been under in quite some time. As an “athlete” and a slave to the athleisure trend, being able to design my very own custom shoe was very overwhelming. With access to prime and poly fleece, snakeskin, Pendleton woven fabrics, the option for speckled midsoles, unique upper colour options not found within the in-market line up and the ability to put your name on it – the options are endless. Do I customize a pair of running shoes for my next race? Design a pair of training shoes to help motivate me when I am doing my conditioning workouts? Or do I create a dope Nike Sportswear sneaker that would make even the craziest sneaker head jealous? Developing your own running or training shoe is probably the closet you will ever get to feeling like a sponsored pro athlete with your own footwear but my heart was being pulled towards the NSW (Nike Sportswear) category.

Toronto Maple Leafs Joffrey Lupul (pictured here) and Triathlete Paula Findlay were on hand to help media and influencers design their first Nike ID’s

Photos by Irving Dee of The Brightest Hour (@TheBrightestHour)

So the big question you’re probably asking, “Which shoes did I customize for myself?” Well…you will have to wait to find out when they arrive in approximately 4 weeks. In the meantime, if you want to jump in on the ID fun, you can do so right now online. Looking for a personal 1:1 session at the Nike Loft? Starting November 9th, the infamous Loft at 548 Richmond Street West, will officially become “ID at Loft” on the upper level, for consumers looking for access to an ID Specialist to create and order on Nike.com. Get ahead of the game and book your appointment online now on Nike.com/Toronto.