Nike has always been relevant in the sports world. One can comfortably claim that they never disappoint in producing different designs of sneakers that attracts both admirers and critics. Nike Air Max 97 is one of them.
This Make has become one of the most iconic and prominent shoes in the sportswear world because of its design.
The designs of the shoe (the wavy lines on its body) was inspired by the bullet trains of Japan, because of the influence, the Air Max silver colorway was nicknamed the ‘silver bullet’.
In 1997, the shoe was released and sold at a retailed price of $150, and in the year 2017, Nike celebrated the 20th anniversary of Nike AM 97 and declared March 26, Air Max day.
The shoe became so popular and got sold in Italy and Serbia. Although there are other sneakers produced, Nike AM 97 happened to stand out and be the best among the best.
You can style AM 97 in many ways and for different activities like running, gymnastics, training, fitness, workout and so on.
These designs have their names like,
- Nike air max 97 Essential
- Nike Air Max 97 OG
- Nike Air Max 97 Plus
- Nike Air Max 97 QS
- Nike Air Max 97 Ultra 17
- Nike Air Max 97 Premium
- Nike Air Max 97 CR7 (named after a footballer, Christiano Ronaldo)
- Nike Air Max 97/BW, etc.
Key features of Nike Air Max 97
Material | Synthetic mesh, synthetic leather, rubber outsole |
Design | Lace-up closure, reflective stripes, Pull tab/tongue, toothed outsole |
Colors | Black, White, Yellow, Red, Metallic Gold, Amarillo, Reflective Silver, Sail, etc |
Sizes | 4 – 15 |
Uses | Running, Basketball, Workout, Gymnastics, random sports |
Comfort | Foam cushioning, Air-filled heel for good lift and high performance |
Price | $54 – $645 |
Design
Nike AM 97 sneakers are solely designed for your all-day comfort and support. It is made flexible, breathable, and lightweight and makes you feel like you are walking on a cloud.
With a 3M Scotchlite detailing used to enhance the beauty of the sneakers, the shoe is eye-catchy and attractive. The sneakers also feature a full-length Max air unit that helps in the shoe cushioning and makes them weightless.
Just like many other traditional sports shoes, it has a lace-up up closure. Hence, you can grip the shoe tightly on your feet while you engage your self in your movements without bothering.
The upper
Air Max 97 is made with a light and breathable material that allows air penetration to your feet, reducing sweat and stinky smell on your feet.
The shoe is constructed with a combination of leather and textile material with reflective wavy lines around the upper that made it more attractive, outstanding, and super cute.
It also has the reflective Nike logo at the side and a hidden lacing that makes it different from other sneakers for adjustable and suitable fitting.
The retro design is modernized with a knit upper, welded overlays for durability and a Max Air unit for maximum comfort all day.
The outsole
More so, the shoe has a rubber outsole well-shaped and constructed, and features a boxy design on the forefoot which provides non-skid traction, durability, and firm grip to your feet.
Materials
- Combination of leather and textile material
- Rubber outsole
How much is Nike Air Max 97?
The price of this particular shoe is quite high but worth it. For a shoe with those amazing qualities, the price shouldn’t be lesser.
The price varies for both male and female Nike AM 97. According to Amazon.com, For the male, it is $154.98 – $1,123.28 while for the female, it is $97.53 – $378.29
Pros
Amazing footwear like Nike AM 97 has lots of advantages:
- The shoe is upgraded to knit upper for breathability.
- Welded overlays which is a direct call-out to the original Air Max 97 is for durability
- Max air unit for all-day comfort.
- A foam unit is placed on top for a better cushioning, and removable arch support is inserted.
- It has multiple colors and suits any look. It is indeed a great quality shoe, stylish, versatile, and has a lovely comfy fit.
Cons
The shoe doesn’t have much of a problem. But for every product, there are always people who are there to criticize.
According to reviews by other users, some had said that the shoe is not true to size, while others said it feels bulky, while others believed it has a long break-in time.
Performance
The shoe is the first-ever running shoe in Nike to have a full-length Max air unit as its midsole.
However, the midsole has compressed air that creates less impact throughout the runs, and a much stronger bounce that comes with each toe-off.
This makes Nike Air Max an excellent choice for long-distance runs and different types of athletics, and even for the basketball game.
Conclusion
An iconic shoe is always an iconic shoe when other sneakers are supposed to be its rival, it still stands out to be the best.
The Nike Air Max 97 continues to be a favorite among sneakerheads. Even though a lot of people have this shoe in their wardrobe, it is still among the best sellers.
It is very comfortable and breathable, protects your feet, gives you good traction, and has high durability. A shoe like this should be your number one priority when selecting your sports or casual footwear.