Nike Air Max 97

Rumor has it that this shoe was originally going to be called the Air Total Max 3. This ultra modern-looking Air Max was inspired by the high-speed Japanese Bullet train.
The sleek liner design and metallic silver colourway were striking. The full-length visible Air Unit displayed Nike’s Air Technology, and the three reflective lines on the top part of the shoe provided a space-age ‘glow’, especially in the dark.

The 97 was particularly popular in Europe. The original men’s colourway has been reissued several times over the years. In 2001, a slip-on version was produced but was frowned upon by the Air Max 97 purists. The coolest colourway was the black / neon yellow / metallic silver, which was released in Japan in 1997.