NikeCraft Launches Mars Yard 3.0 With Global Challenge-Based Drop

NikeCraft and Tom Sachs unveil the Mars Yard 3.0, a reengineered sneaker available only to those who complete a series of creative challenges through the I.S.R.U. app.

NikeCraft is launching the highly anticipated Mars Yard 3.0, the latest chapter in Tom Sachs’ iconic aerospace-inspired sneaker line. This new iteration is “built for the sport of sculpture and the rigors of everyday life,” and, true to NikeCraft form, can only be earned by participating in a series of unique challenges.

“At a glance, nothing about the Mars Yard 3.0 has changed from the previous iteration,” explains Tom Sachs, the artist and designer behind the NikeCraft project. “But while this shoe looks like earlier Mars Yard footwear, it couldn’t be more different. Every single thing is completely new , the tooling, midsole, outsole, toe clip, heel clip and feel. Even the packaging, which looks like the previous version, is completely re-engineered from scratch to be reusable.”

Innovation: Materials and Mechanics

The Mars Yard 3.0 features a natural rubber outsole for increased durability, a plush bed of React foam for comfort, and a carbon fiber shank to sharpen support and bounce. All new, the lacing system is engineered for inclusivity and fit, 4mm ribbed polyester laces with Nike Running tech, a blucher-style eye stay, staggered eyelets, and a nylon lace keeper that matches the heel’s donning strap.

A TPU toe cap addresses feedback from wear testers demanding improved toe protection, paired with a TPU heel clip for extra stability on every step. The now signature silkscreen-printed Swoosh pairs with a familiar yet timeless colorway that draws from the natural tones of its materials—hearkening back to the Mars Yard’s original 2012 debut.

Earning the Mars Yard 3.0: The NikeCraft Challenges

Continuing a tradition of creative consumer engagement, Tom Sachs and NikeCraft introduce the I.S.R.U. (In-Situ Resource Utilization) challenges. To become eligible for the Mars Yard 3.0, participants must complete a series of weekly tasks, each designed to build self-discipline and “constructive rituals.” These challenges can be found on both the NikeCraft Instagram and the custom I.S.R.U. app.

“Mars Yards have always been hard to get, and they’re always going to be hard to get. If you want them, you’re going to have to work for them,” says Sachs. “Maybe not all of the challenges are for you. That’s OK. What matters is that you do what resonates. I can’t guarantee you will get the shoes, but I can promise your life will improve by participating in meaningful daily routines.”

Global Participation, Documentary Launch & How to Buy

For the first time, the Mars Yard’s unique drop and engagement experience goes worldwide. The I.S.R.U. app, available at NikeCraft.com, encourages anyone, anywhere to join the leaderboard for a shot at purchasing the Mars Yard 3.0, available on September 5, to those in an eligible position at store.tomsachs.com.

Alongside this product launch is a new documentary, “A Brief History of the Mars Yard,” streaming now on Nike’s YouTube channel. The film delves into the story and vision behind the NikeCraft project, celebrating two decades of Sachs’ pursuit of “the courage to simply do less.”

“The values of NikeCraft haven’t changed, but they have been refined over the past 20 years,” says Sachs. “From the very beginning, I viewed NikeCraft as an art project: a place where my studio’s output and ideas could reach a larger audience through the sculpture known as the shoe. These two decades are a further reminder that art is in everything , and is showcased through the Mars Yard in the ultimate art gallery of the streets.”

How to Get Involved

• Follow NikeCraft on Instagram for stories and challenge updates.

• Download the I.S.R.U. app at NikeCraft.com.

• Watch the documentary, A Brief History of the Mars Yard.

• Track your progress on the leaderboard via the app and aim for the opportunity to purchase the Mars Yard 3.0 on September 5.