"Dad" silhouettes are currently trending in the sneaker industry, but the Nike Air Monarch has been leading the charge for the past 15 years. Introduced in 2003, the Monarch has been updated on three different occasions, including its most recent and known iteration, the Air Monarch IV. It's not officially designated as a "dad" shoe—in fact, Nike categorizes it as a trainer. However, it's a popular footwear option among older gentlemen who covet comfort and a budget-friendly price tag over style ... and may also just happen to be fathers.
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"Dad" silhouettes are currently trending in the sneaker industry, but the Nike Air Monarch has been leading the charge for the past 15 years. Introduced in 2003, the Monarch has been updated on three different occasions, including its most recent and known iteration, the Air Monarch IV. It's not officially designated as a "dad" shoe—in fact, Nike categorizes it as a trainer. However, it's a popular footwear option among older gentlemen who covet comfort and a budget-friendly price tag over style ... and may also just happen to be fathers.
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Part of the "cool" crowd embracing the Monarch are sneaker customizers. There's even an artist by the name of Shme Customs who created #MakeMonarchsGreatAgain, a movement of like-minded Monarch enthusiasts poised to do away with the old narrative surrounding the model. Shme, like many others, is taking dad's mall walkers and transforming them into stylish pieces of art that align with modern aesthetic. So, as Father's Day nears, we've put together a gallery of the best Air Monarch customs. Scroll through the list of potential gift ideas below.