8 Things Supreme Fans Don't Know About the Nike Air Max 98

Image via Complex Original

The Air Max 95 is one of the most popular running sneakers ever, and the man who designed it, Sergio Lozano, is also responsible for the Air Max 98, according to Nike.

Appearing on the same sole unit as the previous year’s Air Max 97, the 98 didn’t seem to be much of a leap forwards in terms of technology or styling. Once the Air Max Plus dropped later in the year, many people quickly forgot about the 98, and, perhaps unfairly, it became a staple sale rack shoe. But despite the slow start, the 98 turned out to be a slow burner, with a loyal group of fans that has grown steadily over the years.

The Air Max 97 adopted a sleek aesthetic, with smooth curves and an aerodynamic shape. In comparison, the Air Max 98 looked like it had been in the gym: a beefed-up front section, lace loops, synthetic leather patches and ribbed sidewalls. This shoe had it all and wasn’t afraid to show it.

It may have passed some people by, but according to an insider at Nike, the more familiar of the two designs released in spring, while the upper was slightly redesigned for the fall release. A number of colors dropped in 98, but many will remember the original "White/Team Orange-Black-Metallic Silver" color scheme as the most popular of the bunch.

The Air Max 98 TL also dropped in 1998, along with the Air Max 120 and Air Max Plus, slightly after the original model released. The 98 TL used a Phylon midsole, which held up a lot better than the usual polyurethane midsoles, which are notorious for degrading over time. On that note, if you’ve still got pairs of original 98s on ice, you might want to exercise caution when breaking them out.

When it first released, it was placed alongside the Air Max 95 and Air Max 97 in many retailers, rather than promoted as the latest and greatest Air Max model. The design of the 95 was an immediate hit and has maintained its popularity throughout its lifespan. At the time of the 98’s arrival, enthusiasm levels were still relatively high for the 95, which had already received its first retro.

If the Air Max 95 was known as the 110, then perhaps the 98 should have been referred to as the 150: this shoe retailed at $149.99 upon release, placing them right at the top end of Nike running shoes prices. All that extra Air obviously didn’t come cheap.

Fans of the original colorways rejoiced, as the 98 returned on Air Max Day 2014. There were small differences—a slightly different outsole, some subtle material substitutions and a revised insole—but the retro was well executed. While many wanted the original "Varsity Royal/Comet Red-Obsidian" release to return (often referred to as the Gundam colorway), Nike seems to have held that one back.