Nike Moon Shoe OG Review: The Low-Profile Silhouette That Keeps It Simple

4 min readI’VE ALWAYS LOVED a simple shoe. Logo mania and statement dressing are having a major moment in menswear, which I think is cool—but I’m still holding tight to a little minimalism. Give me a low-profile silhouette that’s stylish enough to tie the rest of my look together. For me, that’s the Nike Moon Shoe OG. I’ve been wearing this sneaker for a good chunk of the summer, and it’s become the foundational block of my hot weather fits. It has the look of a vintage runner from the 1970s, but what surprised me most was how incredibly light it feels on foot. I mean, almost weightless. After rocking mine for the past few months, I put the Moon OG through everything from travel to the Caribbean to New York picnics in the park to see how this throwback design holds up as an everyday sneaker.ProsWaffle outsole offers excellent traction and grip on most surfacesPairs well with jeans and chinosLightweight, breathable upperComes with a cushy footbedConsMight be too low to the ground for someUpperNylon/LeatherOutsoleRubberThe UpperThe upper is a perfect example of why this sneaker feels so light on foot. There’s a lightweight, flexible nylon base that almost reminds me of one of the brand’s gym bags. When I first put it on, the material has a slight crinkle to it, but that quickly relaxes once my whole foot is inside. The base is layered with suede overlays and leather Swooshes, which gives the shoe structure and texture without much bulk. I especially like the mashup of materials because it makes the sneaker feel a little more solid than its weight would suggest. I’m a baggy, wide-leg pants kind of guy, so I also love how my trousers naturally fall over the upper instead of stacking on top. New York City has seen some pretty humid days, going as high as 100-plus degrees, but even in the middle of the heat wave the nylon material felt airy rather than stuffy during my office commutes. Though I wouldn’t recommend wearing it with thick socks as there’s not much padding under the tongue or throughout the inside. Plus, the upper sits pretty close to the foot, which made me loosen some of the laces for extra breathability.Rest of the BuildThen there’s the sole, which is arguably the most recognizable part of the Moon OG. The outsole features Nike’s famous waffle pattern, with rows of raised rubber that really look like the bottom of a waffle iron. The textured tread gave me a solid amount of traction in the grass when my friends and I had our annual picnic at Fort Greene Park. I didn’t feel myself sinking into the grass or sliding. I stayed planted, while still feeling flexible. Inside, there’s a thick, cushioned foam insole that you can remove, which is pretty comfortable given its light weight. I’ve also worn this shoe around Sint Maarten, where the sidewalks and streets can be a little less forgiving. Between the uneven sidewalks and hard concrete, I was grateful to have that extra cushioning underfoot.After walking around for three to four hours exploring the island, my feet didn’t feel like they were taking a beating from the ground beneath me. The shoe still has that flat, ground contact but the insole keeps it from feeling overly thin or harsh. That balance is probably what I appreciate most about the build. The Moon OG doesn’t have the towering stack height or marshmallowy cushioning of a modern running shoe. It feels nimble with enough cushion underneath to make it a decent everyday walking shoe.SHOP NIKE MOON SHOE OGVerdictAfter wearing the Nike Moon Shoe OG all summer, I’ve found myself reaching for it more often than I expected. You can’t beat a sneaker that’s versatile enough to wear with a polo and trousers to keep things semi-dressy for work but also pairs with shorts when you’re off the clock. That flexibility is probably my favorite thing about them. I can take a lot of time to get ready in the morning, trying to decide what to throw on, but I don’t have to do that here. At $135, I think it’s a reasonable buy if you’re looking for an everyday sneaker with some personality. No, it’s not the most durable shoe I’ve owned, so I wouldn’t necessarily make it my go-to for rougher terrain or anything that’s going to take a beating. But for walking around the city or heading into the office, the Nike Moon Shoe OG more than held its own. And after a full summer of wearing them, I still find myself grabbing them on the way out the door—which, to me, says more than any spec sheet could.Other Torpedo-Styles I’ve Been WearingPuma SpeedcatCredit: Courtesy of RetailerDries Van Noten Leather-Trimmed Suede SneakersCredit: Courtesy of RetailerShop More of Our Favorite ShoesBest Summer Shoes for Men | Best Dress Sneakers for Men | Most Comfortable Shoes for Men | Best Waterproof Shoes | Best Walking Shoes | Best Loafers | Best Walking Shoes for Men | Best Running Shoes for Men | Best Cross-Training Shoes for Men | Best Golf Shoes for MenAs the Style and Reviews Editor for Men's Health, Joseph covers all-things fashion and grooming. Previously, Cheatham was a commerce editor for Spy, and he has written for Travel + Leisure.Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.