Nike Doernbecher Freestyle 2027 Unveiled

Nike is officially unveiling its latest Doernbecher Freestyle collection, continuing one of the sneaker industry’s most meaningful traditions with six new footwear designs created by patients of Oregon Health & Science University’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Now in its 22nd edition, the annual program pairs six young patient-designers with Nike employees, giving them the opportunity to tell their personal stories through footwear. The resulting sneakers are far more than creative colorways, incorporating details inspired by the children’s interests and their mighty medical journeys.

As previously reported by Sneaker News, the collection includes the Nike Air Max 1/97, Air Jordan 11 Low IE, Nike ACG Rufus, Nike Air Force 1 Mid, and Nike Structure Plus. Nike has now confirmed a sixth model, the Nike GT Future, completing a lineup in which every silhouette is making its Doernbecher Freestyle debut.

Since launching in 2004, the Doernbecher Freestyle program has raised more than $44 million for the hospital, with 100% of profits benefiting patient care, specialized treatment, and medical research. The partnership has become a celebrated annual tradition for Nike, demonstrating how footwear design can serve a purpose far beyond the product itself.

The six sneakers were first made available through a charity auction in Portland on October 16, with a wider U.S. release scheduled for this January through Nike SNKRS and select retailers.

Below, we take a closer look at all six designs and the remarkable young creators behind them.

Nike Air Max 1/97 by Owen William Flint

Making its first return since Sean Wotherspoon’s celebrated 2018 collaboration, the Air Max 1/97 takes inspiration from Owen’s love of superheroes, baseball, and dirt biking. The kidney transplant recipient incorporates his jersey number 88, a spinning wheel dubrae, a biker keychain, and mud-splattered detailing into the colorful design.

Air Jordan 11 Low IE by Avery Wilson

Avery’s imagination runs wild across the Air Jordan 11 Low IE, featuring original characters including Greg, a posh British alien. The word “neurospicy” references her experiences with OCD, while a license plate pin honors her grandfather, Poppy, with the number 143, representing the letters in “I love you.”

Nike ACG Rufus by Charlye Cosgrove

Inspired by the pink camouflage shoes she wore as a baby, Charlye’s ACG Rufus features fuzzy green accents resembling Pacific Northwest moss. The upper also reacts to sunlight, revealing hidden graphics through UV activation. Beneath a stitched tag sits June 11, 2025, the date she completed treatment for bone cancer.

Nike Air Force 1 Mid by Royce Short

Royce brings his love of the rodeo to the Air Force 1 Mid, transforming the classic silhouette with a belt buckle closure, rope laces, and branding for his future bucking bull company. A giant bass decorates the outsole, while the Western-themed interior print doubles as a map of his dream travel destinations.

Nike Structure Plus by Aurora Loss

Aurora’s love of Japanese kawaii culture takes center stage on the Nike Structure Plus. The young kidney transplant recipient brings her dream of opening a “cutsie hotel” to life through fluffy pink fur, cherry blossoms, and an anime character. A removable hair bow and detachable charm bracelet complete the playful design.

Nike GT Future by Kamoryn Marshall

Kamoryn’s GT Future transforms an unusual post-surgery memory into sneaker design. After receiving a titanium hip replacement at age 12, he envisioned goldfish swimming from the ceiling, inspiring the shoe’s aquatic details. A chrome Swoosh references his titanium hip, while hidden stitching honors his surgical scar. The outsole delivers a playful warning: “If you see this, you’re too late.”

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