Nike Withdraws Air Stab Sneakers After Rash Of London Stabbings

Nike Recalling Air Stab Shoes In U.K.

Nike has recalled a line of shoes called Air Stab from British outlets "after a spate of fatal knife attacks across the country,” according to Hannah Fletcher of the LONDON TIMES. The shoes, a limited edition “retro” line from ’88 relaunched two years ago, also have the logo “Runnin’ n’ Gunnin'" on the inside of the shoe and the heel. A total of 53 people have been stabbed to death in London so far this year; two security guards at a London Niketown “were attacked with knives” 11 days ago. However, a Nike spokesperson “denied that the withdrawal was because of worries that the name prompted or encouraged the use of knives.” The spokesperson said that the decision “had been made ‘a few days ago,'" but the shoe was still available at Niketown yesterday. The company is continuing with online sales of its Pocketknife shoe (LONDON TIMES, 7/17).