Next up on my 90s-era Air Max crash course are a model I should have picked up a long time ago. That would be the Nike Air Max 98 Racer Blue. These get their nickname from the colorway.
These came out in 1998, same year as the Air Max Plus. They were designed by the same person that designed the Air Max 95, and the midsole/air unit borrows heavily from the Air Max 97. The shoes come with white rope laces and a standard orange Nike Sportswear box.
Finally got some 98s in the collection and I’m stoked! Also this is a sweet Golden State Warriors colorway, and being from the Bay Area, I can never have too many of those!
How Are The Materials?
These utilize a thick, tumbled-looking black leather and a mix of nylon and ballistic nylon (complete with 3M piping). Overall, none of the materials seem to be at a premium level, however they do serve to make this shoe seem very solid and rugged. The materials are certainly decent for a retro of a shoe from 1998, but definitely are not a selling point for this shoe.
How Do They Fit?
These Nike Air Max 98 Racer Blue are very comfortable at my true Nike size of a 10. This is basically the same size I would get in an Air Max or Jordan 1, so whatever you normally get in Nike should work. These are a bit stiffer thanks to the long air unit, but not uncomfortably so. Overall these have about the same level of comfort as an Air Max 95 to me.
Where To Cop the Nike Air Max 98 Racer Blue
As of the writing of this article, you can find these on eBay
Colorway: Racer Blue / White – Black
Style Code: 640744 400
Year of Release: 2019
MSRP: $160