Since 2004, Nike has partnered with Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children’s Hospital to create the annual Doernbecher Freestyle Collection. This unique collaboration empowers young patients to channel their creativity by designing their own sneakers alongside Nike’s design team.
The result is a lineup of shoes that not only highlight the personalities, hobbies, and interests of these courageous kids but also help raise funds for the hospital. This year’s collection introduces six exciting silhouettes, each with its own meaningful story. Let’s take a look at the Nike x Doernbecher Freestyle lineup.
Air Max SNDR x Doernbecher Freestyle
The Nike Air Max SNDR was designed by Quin, who brought her energetic spirit and love of dragons to life in this vibrant sneaker. Its white mesh upper is covered with bold splatter patterns that exude positivity and creativity. The purple leather mudguard features a spiky dragon-inspired design, a nod to Quin’s favorite mythical creature.
The shroud, which can be zipped open with a blue pull ring, reveals Quin’s mantra, “Tiny but Strong,” along with subtle light blue Nike branding. The green-and-white wavy midsole houses visible air cushioning, and the maze-like outsole adds a fun finishing touch. This colorful design will be available in women’s sizes for $185.
Air Max DN x Doernbecher Freestyle
Next in the collection is the Air Max DN, a design brought to life by Conner. This sneaker reflects his life motto, “Paso a paso” (step by step), and his love for music. The black mesh upper is accented with gold details, including musical notes embossed around the shoe. These notes represent a song Conner wrote with his sister and align with how the song would be played on piano, adding a truly personal touch.
The midsole features gold speckles, and the four-tube air unit ensures comfort and style. A translucent glow-in-the-dark outsole showcases Conner’s inspiring motto in both English and Spanish. Retailing at $170, this design will be available in men’s sizes.
Air Max 180 x Doernbecher Freestyle
The Nike Air 180, designed by Ja’Kai, showcases his passion for soccer and video games. The gradient blue and green mesh upper stands out against the black nubuck overlays, creating a striking look. Lightning bolt details add energy to the design, while Ja’Kai’s name and soccer jersey number appear on the heel.
The sneaker comes with soccer-themed hangtags, adding a playful nod to his favorite sport. The lightweight black foam midsole houses the signature 180-degree visible air cushion, and a glow-in-the-dark blue outsole ties the design together. These will be available in men’s sizes for $160.
Nike Sabrina 2 x Doernbecher Freestyle
Sophia Jenkins designed the colorful Nike Sabrina 2, a playful and creative take on the silhouette. The fuchsia mesh upper features intricate embroidered details, while the violet toe box and pink overlays bring even more vibrancy. The collar is lined with synthetic fur, inspired by Sophia’s favorite blanket, and a pickle-themed stuffie adds a whimsical touch.
The midsole is adorned with smiley face graphics, while the orange translucent outsole glows in the dark and showcases an oversized Swoosh with more smiley face accents. Inside, colorful insoles complete the fun design. This sneaker will be available in women’s sizes for $130.
Air Jordan 6 x Doernbecher Freestyle
Jillian’s Air Jordan 6 is a standout piece in this year’s collection. The all-white leather upper is accented by mismatched blue and pink hues, with heart-shaped perforations adding a sweet detail. The colors on the toe box wear away over time to reveal new shades, making each pair truly unique.
Interchangeable patches, including a soccer ball and a cucumber (two of Jillian’s favorite things), allow for customization. The tongue features faux fur details, and gold accents appear on the lace lock and heel pull tab. The sneaker includes mismatched laces, six extra sets of laces, and a special box. This Air Jordan 6 will retail for $200 and be available in women’s sizes.
Finally, Tima’s Nike Pegasus 41 pays tribute to his Florida-based organ donor and his love for his cat, Murka. The sneaker features tropical-inspired gradients in red, orange, and yellow, with glow-in-the-dark paw prints scattered across the upper.
A fuzzy cat lace patch and playful Murka-inspired details make the design truly personal. The midsole’s gradient blue and yellow colors contrast beautifully with the black rubber outsole, which features paw-print traction patterns. Lace tips are engraved with his donor’s name, making this design both heartfelt and stylish. This Pegasus 41 will retail for $130 in men’s sizes.
The Doernbecher Freestyle Collection is more than just a set of sneakers; it’s a celebration of the bravery, creativity, and individuality of the young patients who bring these designs to life. Each pair tells a unique story and contributes to the incredible work being done at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. As with every year, these sneakers are expected to sell out quickly, so make sure to secure your favorite designs on the SNKRS app or at select Nike retailers. Check out our sneaker release guide for more drops
