Nike Running’s line-up of trackstars has progressively evolved in design and performance, with each particular model owning some trademark detail or design that has provided a distinct identity. For the Nike Air Max 97, it’s the sleek and sexy lines inspired by a running track that gave it its worldwide fame, and for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2012 roll-out, the ’97 will get completely remastered with canvas material. We’ve previewed two colorways of the Air Max 97 CVS before, but here’s a first look at the actual model in a Soar Blue/White/Metallic Silver colorway; the canvas material slims down the profile just a bit more, but is the canvas breathable enough for long-distance wear? Check out the detailed angles of the Nike Air Max 97 CVS below and stick with Sneaker News for more updates on upcoming NSW releases.
Nike Air Max 97 CVS
Soar/Soar-White-Metallic Silver
505802-410
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The original tag line for the debut of the Nike Air Max 1 was “Nike Air is not shoe”. Twenty-five years later, that notion holds true, because Air Max – aside from its performance value – has driven the sneaker game into collector madness with its classics taking the spotlight front and center. Many will confess to owning multiple pairs of Air Max 1s, 90s, and 95s, but let’s not forget that Air Max went beyond the confines or running and into training and basketball, creating its own legacy within each individual sport. Of course, there were the cult-classics along the way, like the nylon-uppered Air Max Deluxe and the ‘Spidermans’ in the Air Max 120 in the running sector, the Speed Turf Max, which will make a triumphant return later this year, and the LeBron 9, which continues to popularize Air Max in the sport of basketball that had been previously dominated by Zoom. Complex just put together a list of the 25 best Air Maxes of all-time, so see if you can guess which came up at number 1!
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Nike Sportswear had wrapped up its VacTech collection and was moving forward to 2012 and a variety of other initiatives, or so we thought. The majority of NSW VT sneakers have already hit store shelves, but we did only get one of these despite having previewed at least three other pairs a good while ago. The Nike Air Max 97 was never one to fit in with the crowd, arguably the most unique of all the classic Air Max runners in regular rotation, and the Air Max 97 VT does this tradition proud with a Midnight Fog suede release whose white sole allows for the kind of contrast that packs every bit as much punch as the legendary ‘Silver Bullet’ OGs. We’re happy to see these didn’t actually slip through the cracks after all, and their appearance suggests that at least two other similarly constructed pairs are on the way, so click through for more of the ‘Midnight Fog’ Air Max 97 VT and look for these at select retailers likeTitolo.
Nike Air Max 97 VT
Midnight Fog/Midnight Fog-White
456582-020
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As it was detailed in the Nike Hyperfuse ‘Tales From The Kitchen’ video, Shane Kohatsu’s discovery of Nike Hyperfuse was transferred over to Nike Sportswear, as a curious Ben Shaffer implemented this three-layer super-lightweight material onto classic Air Max models that were typically constructed of heavier leather and suede materials. Both Nike Innovation Kitchen chefs have been praised for their magnificent creations, and in 2012, two years after Hyperfuse was introduced via the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse, Nike Sportswear will continue forth with the Fuse experimentation with the super-sleek Nike Air Max 97. Here we have a look at four upcoming colorways of the Nike Air Max 97 Hyperfuse; leading the pack is the OG ‘Silver Bullet’ colorway, followed by three tonal renditions of Volt, Blue, and Black. More shots await you below, so take a good look and stay in touch with Sneaker News for more Nike 2012 releases!
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Of all the Air Max Legacy runners Nike Sportswear releases on the regular, the Nike Air Max 97 seems to be released least frequently. We saw several Air Max 97 VT colorways previewed but a different pari in black leather is the only one to hit retail so far, so that leaves at least three others along with the upcoming CVS edition squarely aimed at the casual sneakerhead looking for a bit of extra comfort. That same consumer will find these new AM97s equally satisfying their nubuck mudguard and red midsole/airbag a novel combination for this runner that’s been out nearly a decade and a half. We have some more photos so you can see them up-close after the jump, and then grab a pair from select NSW spots like 95soleman on eBay.
Nike Air Max 97
Black/Challenge Red-Black
312641-065
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Joining the parade of funky materials on the Air Max 97 is canvas – a material we don’t often (okay, never) associate with performance footwear. Canvas isn’t breathable and it isn’t the lightest of materials, but when viewed through the ‘lifestyle’ looking glass, canvas is one of the best materials out there. Will it fit well with the Air Max 97? That remains to be seen, but a look at these two upcoming tonal colorways of Black/White and Red/White have fairly impressed and eager to see what these will feel like in our hands and on our feet. Check out shots of both upcoming Summer 2012 releases below and let us know what you think. via CK.
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Eminem has had a long-standing relationship with Nike and Jordan Brand, resulting in some sick super-limited releases that are some of the most sought-after sneakers of our generation. Eminem’s got a thing for wearing Air Max shoes, as those are his sneaker of choice when he performs live; some of the Eminem x Nike Air Max collaborations we’ve seen included the Air Max 1, Air Max 97, and Air Max 360, although we’ve spotted him in the Air Max LTD/Wright quite often as well. Some of his Air Jordan collaborations are prized as well, like the Air Jordan IV and Air Jordan II, which fetch quite a the pretty penny in the sneaker resale market. Check out some of the Eminem x Nike/Air Jordan kicks below and be sure check out the entire video as well.
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Anyone else feel the need for an explanation as to why the Nike Air Max 97 was excluded from the Nike Air Attack Pack of 2010? The Air Attack Pack partially served as an introduction for the Nike Air Max 24/7, a hybrid sneaker in which the Air Max 97 played one of the major roles in. So its exclusion from the biggest mass-release of Nike Air Max classics in history was as bid of a head-scratcher, because very few from the 90′s catalog of runners can pull off the tonal upper/tonal midsole theme like the running-track inspired Air Max 97. Here’s a look at an upcoming November 2011 colorway; it’s got a tonal black upper with a tonal Challenge Red midsole, sandwiched by a black outsole. Very AAP indeed. Like what you see? More images await you below.
Nike Air Max 97
Black/Challenge Red-Black
312641-065
11/2011
$145
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