Andrew Rizzo The rise of sneaker-loafers in the footwear world has been felt across Nike and all its subsidiaries. A total of four new sneaker-loafers have emerged from Nike, Jordan, and Converse in 2025 alone, not even counting the upcoming Air Max RK61 and loaferized Comme des Garçons Air Max Dolce slated for 2026. The Nike Air Max Phenomena, a product of the Serena Williams Design Crew, might be the most palatable of the bunch, now arriving in a “Burgundy Crush” colorway for Holiday 2025.
The loafer follows the same monochrome blocking formula seen on the black colorway that debuted the model, leaving its quirky hybrid construction as the main talking point. A tumbled leather loafer silhouette builds the upper, but Nike’s sport DNA quickly takes over. Mesh padding cushions the Achilles at the heel and attaches to a leather pull tab. TPU overlays contour the heel and sides to form a mudguard, while sole unit of the resurgent Air Max Sunder sits underneath, offering the clearest clash of formal and sporty aesthetics. Compared to chunky options like the Converse All-Star City Hike and the Air Jordan Mule, the Phenomena feels more wearable and stands as Nike’s closest competitor to the viral New Balance 1906 loafer.
The Nike Air Max Phenomena “Burgundy Crush” releases Holiday 2025 for $155 in women’s sizing. See official images below if these might slot into your work rotation.
