Facts
Road
Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.
Trail
Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who does not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who needs arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a normal arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overproanation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video.
Daily running
Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.
Competition
Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.
Good to know
If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.
The height difference from the heel to the forefoot, also known as heel drop, toe spring, heel to toe spring or simply drop.
There are many opinions about what a good heel drop is. We do not recommend any in particular. Lean more in this video.
Summary
We spent 5.7 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what sneaker fanatics think:
12 reasons to buy
- A pair of sneakers that is indeed a head turner.
- The detailing on the upper of the Nike Air Max 90 SE is versatile that it can be paired with a variety of apparel from casual to classy wear.
- Buyers’ expectations are met regarding comfort and fit.
- Reviewers received compliments while wearing this adorable sneaker.
- Street style at its best.
- Delighted buyers are in love with the classic and stylish design of the Air Max 90 SE.
- The fit is true to size.
- This sneaker has a right combination of features in a sporty and fashionable package.
- The mesh lining offers a lot of comfort and breathability.
- Lady reviewers loved the extra height in the heel area as it gives them that nice lift.
- Well-cushioned from around the ankle down to the sole.
- A reasonably-priced sneaker.
2 reasons not to buy
- The Nike Air Max 90 SE is a bit narrow towards the forefoot.
- Limited stocks for higher sizes.
Bottom line
The Nike Air Max 90 SE is a stunner in a feminine, sporty profile. The upper which is available in chic designs, prints, and colors make this sneaker fashionable whether for daytime or evening wear. Comfort, breathability, and flexibility are among the best assets of this lovely silhouette that looks slim in any angle. Another alluring factor to this versatile sneaker is its price point that comes in a very affordable package.
Rankings
Popularity
Ratings
My Rating
Nike Air Max 90 SE History
Nike’s Air Max 90, a most loved iconic trainer has been the subject of many upgrades over the years. The brand retains the fundamental form of this silhouette, while it splashes the upper with different materials, an array of colors, and prints. The sole also gets updated as new technologies continue to emerge now and then. Its hallmark Air bubble in the heel is the only feature of the vintage model that remains to be untouched as it is the shoe’s direct link to the past.
The Air Max 90, debuted as the Air Max III in 1990, was initially created as a men’s running shoe. It is highly noticeable for its striking Hyvent Orange accents around the visible Air unit in the midsole, on the eyestay, heel tab, and Air Max branding on the side panel.
It was only in 2003 that the Air Max 90 got its familiar Infrared colorway when a retro version was unveiled to the European and Asian markets. This edition was also the last one to sport the original large Air bubble in the heel.
In 2005, the AM 90 Infrared unveiled in the US was part of the release of the History of Air Collection. It is the first edition that displayed a slightly smaller Air bubble unit for the same classic profile.
Nike has been cross-breeding different models from its rich folio of sneakers and consumers liked this experiment. In 2006, a special release of the One Time Only Pack unveiled by Nike included a hybrid of the AM 90 and the freshly introduced Air Max 360. This limited release featured all original Air Max silhouettes with the visible full rotation Air unit in the midsole.
Although the full Air bladder was new to the eyes of sneaker fans, the classic profile of the Air Max 90 was a come on to them. Soon, Nike went on combining varied materials to the upper as first seen in 2008 with the use of the dark ostrich skin on the mudguard combined with the premium Nubuck, suede, and mesh on the upper.
As the brand developed various technologies in simplifying the structure of the upper, it pulled the well-liked AM 90 silhouette and applied such modern techniques to it. In 2012, the upper of the AM 90 entirely altered the aesthetics of the sneaker, eliminating suede overlays with the use of the Hyperfuse technology. This innovation uses a pressurized heat system that combines layers of materials to form one solid body for the upper.
Other techniques were used to the same profile as Nike kept on finding more solutions in streamlining and reducing the weight of sneakers. In 2013, Nike dropped the Air Max 90 Tape Infrared which eliminated the seams from the upper utilizing the Hyperfuse pressure in melding the tape material to the traditional mesh structure.
When this well-recognized Air Max model celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2015, Nike came up with a series of limited edition designs in the most vibrant colorways ever made to such shoe. The series of drops was kicked off with a wood-looking upper that has a black leather interior, which offers a premium look to the sneaker. A drop of a luxurious red velvet upper paired with laces made of the same plush velvet material soon followed.
The Flash Lime colorway is one of the most refreshing and creative renditions made to the AM 90. This anniversary version features a lively contrast of lime green and blue with orange tiger-striped textile. Another anniversary iteration, the Dusty Cactus that features teal faux snakeskin leather on the upper was dropped as well. All these designs have the most recognizable Infrared hits.
More colors and creative concepts were applied to the AM 90 that it became a go-to sneaker most especially by the women population. In 2017, Nike came out with an elegant and premium looking version called the Nike Air Max 90 SE with floral prints on the toe, tongue, and heel. Just like how the colorful fabric was constructed on the Flash Lime anniversary edition.
This edition resurrected the classic and traditional style by using plush suede and high-quality leather. The Nike Air Max 90 SE also came in pale, feminine colors and lighted neutral tones built in leather, suede, and textile upper paired with a durable tan rubber sole much to the desire of the women consumers.
Nike Air Max 90 SE Style
The Nike Air Max 90 SE is a women’s exclusive shoe characterized by hints of femininity from the available color options and upper design patterns. Each pair features a luxurious blend of suede, leather, and textile printed with a floral motif or in plain pastel to almost neutral tones. The shoe itself evokes a feeling of elegance in a slim profile, and it offers a sense of sophistication even when paired with casually rolled up jeans.
Fit & Sizing
The Nike Air Max 90 SE is an exclusive design made for the women. The sneaker’s leather and suede overlays offer much durability to the upper. This feminine-looking sneaker generally runs true to size that narrows a tad bit towards the forefoot, which can be felt by those with wide feet. The size options are from 5.5 to 11 US.
Notable Features
Nike’s Air Max 90 SE totally veered away from the seemingly masculine frame of the most adored classic silhouette. This version also toned down the vibrant Infrared accents of earlier variations with more subdued feminine features. Its well-constructed upper elegantly sits atop the weightless signature bubble air that offers the needed cushioning. A classically
Additional Info
- The Nike Air Max 90 SE’s padding in the collar, ankle, and tongue boost comfort.
- The additional eyestays as seen in the iconic model offers customized lacing choices.
- The synthetic overlays reinforce the stability and add support.
- Flex grooves offer bendability and allow the outsole to move with the foot.
- The durable Waffle pattern on the outsole of the Air Max 90 SE offers long-lasting traction to avoid slippage.
- The signature Air unit in the sole was an idea of aeronautic engineer Franklin Rudy in his quest to provide a right amount of cushioning to running shoes back in the 1970s.
- The famous “window” design in the heel was envisioned by Nike’s creative genius Tinker Hatfield when he thought of showcasing the Air-Sole unit in the midsole. This was first seen in the drop of the OG Air Max I in 1987.
- A cult favorite, the Nike Air Max 90 is frequently sported by former Spice Girls member turned fashion designer and model Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham; British actress and singer Rita Ora; and American fashion model Gigi Hadid.