Hybrid shoes have been well within Nike’s wheelhouse for decades, and as the years have gone by, such mash-ups have only gotten more and more ambitious. This November, the Beaverton brand is poised to introduce its most daring use of Tuned Air tech to date by way of a new era-combining “Frankenstein” model; the Air Max Waffle Racer.
The Air Max Waffle Racer combines two acclaimed sneaker innovations, marrying the 1970’s iconic Waffle Racer with the Tuned Air tech of 1998’s Air Max Plus. To describe the shoe as “clashing” is a bit of an understatement. The two drastically different sneaker era pulls share almost nothing in common individually, thus comprising an aesthetic that’s not entirely vintage or modern, but unequivocally unique to say the least.
The overarching shape of the shoe takes after the Air Max Plus, crafted with a nylon base and hairy suede overlays in the name of the Waffle Racer. The tongue, Swoosh, and semi-deconstructed backtab also take after the vintage runner, while underfoot, the two model’s defining features are daringly fused together. The midsole features Tuned Air tech towards the heel, with waffle tread cleverly grafted onto the forefoot and heel portions of the outsole.
Nike actually explored a comparable aesthetic back in 2021 with two Air Max Plus SE “Running Club” releases, with both those shoes featuring vintage-inspired exposed foam tongues.
This “Action Green/Black/Total Orange” Air Max Waffle Racer is set to release on November 14th for $140, soon to be followed by a purple and orange edition in late 2024/early 2025. Return to our “Where To Buy” section below for purchase links if you’re moved to cop a pair.
In other Swoosh news, the Wu Tang Dunk is landing in stores on November 9th.
WHERE TO BUY
Mens Nike Air Max Waffle Racer SP
US 11/14/2024 Thursday
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sneaker Politics | Sold Out | Sold Out |
| Concepts | Sold Out | Sold Out |
| Nike SNKRS US | Sold Out | Sold Out |
- M 4.5 / W 6
- M 5 / W 6.5
- M 5.5 / W 7
- M 6 / W 7.5
- M 6.5 / W 8
- M 7 / W 8.5
- M 7.5 / W 9
- M 8 / W 9.5
- M 8.5 / W 10
- M 9 / W 10.5
- M 9.5 / W 11
- M 10 / W 11.5
- M 10.5 / W 12
- M 11 / W 12.5
- M 11.5 / W 13
- M 12 / W 13.5
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- Nike Air Max Waffle Racer Sneaker Politics
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- Nike Air Max Waffle Racer Sneaker Politics
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- Nike Air Max Waffle Racer Sneaker Politics
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- Nike Air Max Waffle Racer Sneaker Politics
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- Nike Air Max Waffle Racer Sneaker Politics
