The Nike Air Huarache became famous for the advertising slogan “Have you hugged your foot today?” in 1991.
Tinker Hatfield designed the Huarache, which introduced a neoprene inner bootie inspired partly by water-skiing and scuba-diving footwear. The close-fitting construction was intended to make the shoe feel more like a flexible extension of the foot than a traditional athletic sneaker.
The model debuted in 1991 and stood out visually because of its rubber heel strap and minimal external branding. Nike’s advertising emphasized the unusual fit, helping the Huarache attract attention among runners and sneaker fans.
The Huarache is sometimes grouped with Air Max models because it uses Nike Air cushioning, but it is a distinct design. Its name comes from the huarache, a traditional Mexican sandal style, although the sneaker itself was a modern performance product rather than a direct reproduction of that footwear.