John Kim Before sneaker MSRPS ballooned to the near $200 mark, there was a time when Nike was absolutely crushing the market with a $70 shoe. The iconic Roshe represented a time of minimalism and base-level comfort, but those days are gone as the retro wave has grown to into an unstoppable tsunami of suedes and leathers.
We may never see a phenomenon like the unforgettable Roshe era of the early-mid 2010s. But there’s always room in the market for a well-designed, well-priced sneaker. In comes the Air Zoom Upturn SC.
At quick glance, this sneaker is likely targeted to the department store shopper in an important battleground that really makes up a good chunk of brand revenue. It’s not meant to shift the culture, it’s only meant to be comfortable. But for a sneaker with such a rudimentary un-cool purpose, we like what we see.
The Air Zoom Upturn SC boasts a visible Zoom Air cushioning at the heel. It’s not a dinky, chiclet-sized window of Air — it’s a full 180-degree unit that demonstrates the snappy, responsive bristles that make up the proprietary cushioning. The titled angle may be throwing you off, but the Zoom bag will indeed be parallel to the ground when the heel strikes the ground during a stride.
That same principle is seen in the tapered, lifted heels you see across all of Nike Running’s performance footwear. This brand new model is classified under the brand’s Running and Sportswear categories, rendering the Air Zoom Upturn SC an everyday walking sneaker with performance running principles.
The upper is fairly nondescript, but the simplicity is where it wins. Thin layers, micro-dot perforations, sport mesh lining, and minimal Swoosh branding allow the new midsole design to shine.
Currently expected to drop in Spring 2025, the Air Zoom Upturn SC will be available at retailers for $95 in a variety of colorways. We’ve revealed three colorways below; take a closer look.
WHERE TO BUY
Mens Nike Air Zoom Upturn SC
US 2026
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nikestore US | Standard | Check Site |
WHERE TO BUY
Mens Nike Air Zoom Upturn SC
US 2026
Powered By:
| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nikestore US | Standard | Check Site |
WHERE TO BUY
Mens Nike Air Zoom Upturn SC
US 2026
Powered By:
| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nikestore US | Standard | Check Site |
