Nike Air Max 97

Ever innovating, Nike continued to push the boundaries in 1997 with the release of the Air Max 97. The sneaker was designed by Christian Tresser who took inspiration from the Japanese bullet trains for their smooth and aerodynamic appearance, resulting in a kick that had lined grooves that wrapped around the upper. Except, that isn’t true at all. That is famously the explanation given by Nike, but Tresser initial sketched design was, in fact, informed by hi-tech performance bikes, ripples of water, and progressive materials.