SoleGRIND
| 👟 Sneaker Release Info | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Nike |
| Model | Nike React Element |
| Colorway | Black, Grey, Red, Green, Yellow |
| Style Code | CV2592-600 |
| Release Date | December 7, 2019 |
| Retail Price | $130 |
| Available At | Nike.com |
Every year, the Nike Doernbecher Freestyle collection delivers some of the most personal, story-driven sneakers you will ever see. The 2019 collection included this React Element 55 designed by Kahleah Corona, and honestly, it might be one of the most meaningful Doernbecher drops in recent memory.
Kahleah Corona survived a traumatic brain injury, and her family coined the phrase “K-Strong” as their rallying cry during her recovery. That phrase shows up right on the toe of the shoe in bold black lettering. Nike translated her sparkly, colorful personality into a riot of pink mesh, glitter-flecked Swooshes, and volt green accents that hit you from across the room.
The colorway is officially listed as Sunblush/Wolf Grey-University Red-Bright Grape, style code CV2592-600. That is a mouthful, but it translates to a shoe that does not hold back. The pink base sits underneath a dark, glittery Swoosh, while the lacing cage uses an iridescent purple finish that shifts in the light. Thick grey rope laces replace the standard flat laces you usually see on React Element 55s.
What gets me about Doernbecher designs is the level of personal detail packed into every inch. The heel has a green ribbon symbolizing traumatic brain injury awareness. The insoles are covered in Kahleah’s favorite emojis and colorful icon patterns. The initials of her family members are worked into the design, with a small rattle representing her new baby sister. Even the tongue tags are mismatched, with one featuring a volt green infinity symbol and the other a yellow circular patch.
The React Element 55 silhouette itself was a solid choice for this collaboration. The translucent mesh upper gives plenty of real estate for custom graphics and bold color blocking. Underneath, the full-length React foam midsole with those distinctive exposed circular pods provides the cushioning. It is a lifestyle runner that balances comfort with an aesthetic that can handle wild designs without looking cluttered.
These released on December 7, 2019 for $130 retail. Like all Doernbecher Freestyle sneakers, proceeds went to OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. That means every pair sold helped fund pediatric medical care, which makes the already great design feel even better. The Doernbecher program has raised millions over the years, and this 2019 collection continued that tradition.
If you missed the original drop, the aftermarket is where you will find these now. Doernbecher releases tend to hold value well because of the limited production and the meaningful story behind each pair. The Kahleah Corona React Element 55 is no exception. It is a shoe that stands out visually and carries a story worth telling every time someone asks about it.
