Nike Air Max 97 Review: Is This Iconic Sneaker Still Worth Your Money in 2026?

You know that moment when you catch your reflection in a shop window and your outfit is doing everything right… except your shoes? They’re either too clunky to look sleek, too minimal to feel cushioned, or too loud to work with anything beyond one specific fit. You want one pair you can throw on with joggers, jeans, or a casual suit and feel like you nailed it every single time.

That tension between comfort, style, and versatility is exactly where many sneakers fall apart. Running shoes look fast but weird with denim. Chunky lifestyle shoes are cozy but cartoonish. Ultra-minimal silhouettes feel timeless but don’t stand out in a sea of plain white trainers.

Enter the solution that’s been quietly trending in cycles for over two decades: the Nike Air Max 97.

First released in 1997 and endlessly reimagined since, the Nike Air Max 97 isn’t just a retro throwback. It’s one of the few sneakers that still turns heads on the street while actually being wearable all day. And in 2026, with fresh colorways and updated materials on Nike’s official store, the question is simple: is it still worth buying?

Why the Nike Air Max 97 Still Feels Like the Answer

The Nike Air Max 97 steps in where your current rotation probably fails: it gives you a genuinely comfortable, full-length Air unit underfoot, a sleek, futuristic upper that doesn’t look dated, and enough color options to match whatever aesthetic you’re in right now – streetwear, techwear, athleisure, or just smart casual.

On Nike’s site, the modern Air Max 97 lineup sticks closely to the original formula: the trademark wavy lines inspired by Japanese bullet trains, hidden lacing system, and that signature full-length visible Air cushioning. Recent drops include leather, synthetic, and textile mixes, reflective piping on select models, and colorways ranging from understated triple blacks to high-contrast gradients and metallics.

Across Reddit threads and sneaker forums, the sentiment is pretty consistent:

• People love the way the Air Max 97 looks on foot – slim, fast, and instantly recognizable.
• Comfort is described as solid for everyday wear, especially with the full-length Air unit, but not a modern running shoe level of plush.
• Some users mention they run slightly narrow and can feel stiff at first, softening up after a few wears.
• Durability gets decent marks, especially on leather-based colorways, though white midsoles can scuff and crease like most lifestyle sneakers.

In other words: if you’re expecting a performance runner, you’re looking in the wrong category. But if you want a lifestyle sneaker that blends all-day wearability with bold design, you’re squarely in Air Max 97 territory.

Why this specific model?

So why choose the Nike Air Max 97 over, say, the Air Max 95, Air Max 270, or one of Nike’s newer foam-heavy models?

First, the design. The upper’s ripple lines give the 97 a fluid, aerodynamic profile that looks just as modern in 2026 as it did in the late 90s. The hidden lacing system keeps things clean, making the shoe surprisingly easy to dress up compared to chunkier silhouettes.

Second, the full-length Air unit. Many lifestyle sneakers give you a visible Air bubble in the heel and standard foam elsewhere. The Air Max 97 runs that cushioning from heel to toe, which translates into a consistent, slightly bouncy feel under your entire foot. Reddit users often call this out as a major reason they keep coming back to the model for daily wear, especially for walking and commuting.

Third, the versatility of materials and colorways. On Nike’s official store, you’ll find pairs in:

• Mixed leather and synthetic overlays for structure and durability
• Mesh zones for breathability on the tongue and upper
• Reflective accents on select models for night-time visibility
• Neutral, monochrome, and eye-catching color-blocked versions

Translated to your life: you can pick up a muted pair that passes in an office setting, or grab something with metallic or gradient hits that basically announce themselves the moment you walk in a room.

Nike Inc., traded under ISIN: US6541061031, has leaned heavily into heritage silhouettes in recent years, and the Air Max 97 is one of the few that consistently sells out in hot colorways while still being accessible in core versions.

At a Glance: The Facts

Feature	User Benefit
Full-length visible Nike Air cushioning	Consistent, cushioned feel from heel to toe for all-day wear and city walking.
Signature wavy upper with hidden lacing	Sleek, futuristic look that stands out while staying easy to style with jeans, joggers, or casual tailoring.
Mixed leather, synthetic, and mesh construction	Balance of durability, structure, and breathability depending on the colorway you choose.
Rubber outsole with traction pattern	Reliable grip on urban surfaces, from subway steps to wet sidewalks.
Reflective accents on select models	Subtle pop under streetlights and added visibility at night.
Low-top, streamlined silhouette	Comfortable ankle movement and a slimmer profile than many chunky lifestyle sneakers.
Wide range of colorways and special editions	Options to match minimalist, streetwear, or statement-heavy wardrobes.

What Users Are Saying

Look at Reddit threads like “Air Max 97 comfort?” or “Thinking of buying Air Max 97s – worth it?” and you’ll see a pretty clear pattern.

Pros users frequently highlight:

• Timeless style: The 97 is often called a "grail" silhouette for Air Max fans and praised for looking good with almost anything.
• All-day wearability: Many reviewers say they comfortably wear them for full workdays, campus life, and long walks.
• Build quality: Leather/synthetic mixes are generally seen as solid, and people report pairs lasting years with normal wear.
• Cultural cachet: This is a shoe that’s embedded in street culture, from European streetwear scenes to global sneaker communities.

Cons you should know about:

• Fit can be narrow: Multiple users recommend going true to size if you have standard or narrow feet, or a half-size up if you have wide feet.
• Break-in period: Some find them a bit stiff out of the box, especially leather-heavy colorways, but they soften over time.
• Not a modern performance runner: They’re comfortable for lifestyle use, but not on the same level as Nike’s latest running tech for serious training.
• Price: Depending on region and specific edition, the Air Max 97 sits in the premium lifestyle bracket – not cheap, especially for special releases.

Overall sentiment: fans love them, casual buyers tend to keep them in rotation for years, and most complaints boil down to fit nuance and expectations around performance vs. lifestyle use.

Alternatives vs. Nike Air Max 97

The lifestyle sneaker space is crowded, even within Nike’s own lineup. So how does the Nike Air Max 97 stack up against common alternatives?

• Nike Air Max 95: The 95 is bulkier, more segmented, and tends to read "chunky retro" on foot. It’s great if you want a more aggressive, layered look, but the 97 wins on sleekness and versatility.
• Nike Air Max 270 / 270 React: These feel a bit softer and more modern underfoot, with a bigger heel bubble. However, they don’t have the same full-length Air cushioning or the iconic 90s design language of the 97.
• Nike Air Max 90: A classic, slightly more casual and blocky. The 90 fits well into everyday outfits, but the 97 feels more futuristic and elevated, especially in monochrome or metallic colorways.
• Adidas Ozweego / ZX / lifestyle Boost models: Adidas offers strong comfort with Boost and bold designs in Ozweego and ZX lines. They can be cushier, but if you want the instantly recognizable full-length Air bubble and the bullet-train aesthetic, the 97 has a distinct identity they don’t match.
• New Balance 990/2002R: New Balance gives you dad-core meets luxury comfort. Fantastic shoes, but they lean chunkier and more heritage than the sleeker, sportier vibe of the Air Max 97.

In short: if your priority is maximum foam softness, there are other options. If your priority is a perfect balance of recognizable design, daily comfort, and long-term style appeal, the Air Max 97 sits in a sweet spot that few competitors match.

Final Verdict

The Nike Air Max 97 isn’t the newest shoe on the block, and that’s exactly why it works. It’s a proven silhouette that has weathered trend cycles, TikTok waves, and resale hype, and still comes out looking modern every single time.

If you’re looking for:

• A sneaker you can wear to work, to a bar, on a flight, or through a long day in the city
• Design that makes a statement without screaming for attention
• Cushioning that keeps your feet happy through everyday life
• A model with genuine sneaker-culture history, not just another algorithm-friendly release

…the Air Max 97 absolutely deserves a spot at the top of your shortlist.

Yes, you’ll want to pay attention to sizing (especially if you have wide feet), and no, this won’t replace your high-tech running shoes for tempo runs. But as a lifestyle sneaker – the pair you instinctively reach for when you want to feel put-together and comfortable – the Nike Air Max 97 still hits that rare trifecta of style, comfort, and cultural relevance.

If you’re ready to upgrade your everyday rotation, it’s worth heading straight to the official Nike Air Max 97 collection and finding the colorway that feels like you.