It has been 25 years since Christian Tresser first conceived of the idea that would become the Air Max 97 silhouette. The unique design of the sneaker was based on the manufacturer’s most prominent Air bubble to date, and it included reflective overlays, curving lines, and metallic silver finishes. The shoe, as with many others that Nike was producing at the time, was inspired by industrial design. 

The shoe, as with many others that Nike was producing at the time, was inspired by industrial design. The “Silver Bullet” got its name from its first release color, which looked so similar to a Japanese bullet train that the moniker stuck. This first release has been used as a model for the creation of numerous other iterations, with the “Gold Bullet” version of the Air Max 97 possibly being the most famous of these iterations.

This basic alternative colorway is often confused for the original because of its near proximity to the design of the first release as well as its strong ties to that design. This particular colorway of the Air Max 97 has been reissued multiple times over the course of the years as a direct result of the shoe’s iconic status and widespread popularity. Among these reissues are a pair of shoes that have been dipped in gold for Cristiano Ronaldo and another that is covered in Swarovski crystals. 

However, for the release in the spring of 2023, you should prepare yourself for metallic gold mesh uppers and overlays, dramatic black and red decorations, and white midsoles that enclose a metallic gold Air support system underfoot.

The Nike Air Max 97 “Gold Bullet” is slated to become available in the spring of 2023 at select retailers and Nike for the price of $185 USD.