Nike Pegasus Premium could be the modern Air Max 97

When the Nike Air Max 97 launched in 1997, it was the most innovative pair of sneakers in the world. They were the first sneakers to use a full-length visible Air unit and came in a ‘Silver Bullet’ design modeled after the water ripples in a pond (not Japanese bullet trains). To quote designer Christian Tresser at the time: “Water would fall and radiate towards the Air unit.” He also channeled his love for mountain bikes and their metal components, inspired by the upper with silver piping that contrasts with the Air unit underfoot (source).

The sneaker was a technical innovation, but, like the best Air Max 90s of all time, it has stood the test of time. From a performance-oriented running shoe to a nostalgic reference to innovation.

It remains a sought-after model today. Collaborative pairs such as the Virgil Abloh-designed ‘The Ten’ fetch over $1,000 AUD on the secondary market. Meanwhile, retro releases of the ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’ bullets continue to be offered and we always find ourselves having to go back for seconds and thirds when they hit the shelves.

With the release of the Nike Pegasus Premium (expected in 2025), the brand seems to be returning to its Nike Air roots. They’ve added full-length Zoom Air underfoot and combined it with other industry-leading innovations, including a ZoomX midsole and ReactX foam in the heel for responsiveness. Is Nike on its way to creating a modern Air Max 97? It looks like they’re following that path and we’re here for it!

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Designers, engineers and scientists from Nike Air Manufacturing Innovation (Air MI) and Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL) have designed a cushioning unit to give runners a responsive and comfortable underfoot experience, aimed at returning the most energy to their legs . You’re looking at a full-length molded Air Zoom unit, a full-length ZoomX midsole above, and ReactX foam in the heel.

We’ll have to reserve performance reviews until we get a chance to bring them to market, but something can be said for the debut ‘Airscape’ livery. In our opinion, this is a homerun silhouette.

The colorway shows the full-length Zoom Air in bright orange, while reflective material has been added to the upper. Here, a sharp white line runs through the middle of the sneaker, a clear nod to the Air Max 97. Finally, a round knit underneath was chosen for its fit and breathability.

Nike has stated that the Air Pegasus Premium ($TBC) will release first in the “Airscape” colorway in 2025 on nike.com, in the Nike app and at select running retailers. They have also stated that more colorways will be coming and we look forward to sharing more details as they appear. In the meantime, you can shop the full Nike Pegasus running range on nike.com via the link below.

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