3 colorways of the Nike Air Max 97 on SoleBook.
The Nike Air Max 97 arrived in 1997, designed by Christiaan Ashworth, who drew inspiration from Japanese bullet trains and the shimmer of rippling water. It marked a departure from the boxy Air Max lineage that preceded it, introducing a full-length Max Air unit visible through a translucent outsole and a wave-patterned upper stitched from layered mesh and synthetic overlays. The silhouette's reflective 3M piping, running the length of the shoe, became an instant signature, catching light in a way few sneakers had before. Initially a niche release compared to its Air Max 1 and 95 predecessors, the 97 found its real cultural moment years later, particularly in UK and European sneaker scenes where it became a streetwear staple through the 2010s. Colorways like "Silver Bullet" achieved near-mythical status among collectors, while collaborations with Off-White, Undefeated, and Skepta pushed the model into fashion-forward territory. Retro drops have kept the shoe in steady rotation, with Nike revisiting original colorways alongside new textile experiments. Regarded now as one of the defining Air Max models, the 97 sits alongside the 1 and 95 as a pillar of the line's design evolution.