Summary
We spent 6.5 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what sneaker fanatics think:
8 reasons to buy
- A lot of wearers rave about the comfort that they feel when they wear the Nike Air Max Zero.
- The Nike Air Max Zero continues to get high overall satisfaction scores from a lot of purchasers.
- A handful of buyers say that this pair of sneakers, just like the other models in the Air Max range is actually good for long-distance walks and other kinds of physical activities.
- Few shoe users appreciate the convenience of this pair’s slip-on function.
- The Nike Air Max Zero is available in a lot of colorways.
- The majority of those who left reviews express their willingness to recommend this shoe model to family and friends.
- Some claim that this shoe is easy to clean.
- A good number of wearers appreciate the lightness of this shoe.
3 reasons not to buy
- There are wearers who say that the Nike Air Max Zero is actually tight on the sides and around the ankle.
- Some reviewers think that this shoe model is cheaply put together, and it uses low-quality materials.
- A number of reviewers have shared that it loses shape after only a few uses.
Bottom line
The Nike Air Max Zero is one that delivers on the promises of its price. At $130 a pair, this model provides high levels of comfort and support, and fitness enthusiasts can't help but leave highly positive reviews. Those who are looking for aesthetics won't be disappointed either.
With its classic look, the Nike Air Max Zero is said to be very pleasing to the eyes. Some even went as far as saying that this model goes with almost anything that they wear.
Facts
| Style: | Classic |
|---|---|
| Top: | Low |
| Inspired from: | Running |
| Collection: | Nike Air Max Zero |
| Closure: | Laces |
| Designer: | Tinker Hatfield |
| Material: | Mesh, Rubber Sole, Air Max |
| Price: | $130 |
| Colorways: | Beige, Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink, Purple, White, Yellow |
| Special editions: | 6 special editions |
Rankings
Expert Reviews
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This sneaker is available in women's and men's sizes. The Air Max Zero's upper features a combination of full textile underlay and molded skin overlays with slip-on inner cleatie fit. The inner cleatie is reported to fit a bit tight around the ankle area, hence, trying a pair in a retail store near you is best recommended. The traditional lace-up closure is utilized in this model, and it features D-ring eyelets for a comfortably snug fit.
The Nike Air Max Zero sports a throwback silhouette whose simplicity endows it with timeless relevance. It goes well with a variety of outfits, including those for workouts and casuals strolls around town. This model is available in a lot of colorways, so there surely is a pair for every ensemble.
If the ready-made colorways are not satisfactory, the shoe can actually be customized to suit the buyers’ unique tastes. The Nike Air Max Zero is a unisex shoe that could be dressed in countless ways. Below are some styling tips you could try.
Nike Air Max Zero Men’s Styling Tips
With the Air Max Zero's sleek design endless outfits could be created to match it. The guys could dress it in a pair of denim jeans with rolled cuffs, a T-shirt, and a crisp bomber jacket. For a more laidback and sporty look, reaching for your trusty and cozy joggers and sweatshirts would do the trick. Lastly, going for a more dashing ensemble is also possible by pairing your Nike Air Max Zero in cool grey with chino pants and a smart jacket.
Styling Tips for the Nike Air Max Zero Women’s
For a comfortable yet feminine look, the ladies can opt for the Nike Air Max Zero in all white also known as Triple White and match it with a graphic T-shirt and pleated midi skirt. As autumn and winter footwear, you could pair your sneaker with thermal leggings and tops layered with stylish coats. Finally, wear your AM Zero to work by opting for a pair of smart trousers and a blazer.
Like all shoes in the Air Max series, this model has air packets that are made visible through a carved-out window in the midsole, in the area right below the heel. This display gives Nike Air Max Zero shoes and all the other Air Max releases an identity that is uniquely theirs.
This sneaker’s slim silhouette is another characteristic that most consumers love, and it could be attributed to the upper’s no-sew overlays. Apart from providing reinforcements, the overlays also add a clean and futuristic exterior that amps up its overall look.
The Nike Air Max 1, when it was released in 1987, revolutionized how the world would view sneakers. Designed by Tinker Hatfield himself, it drew inspiration from one of the most thought-provoking architectural feats in the modern world-- the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. This building is designed in such a way that features that are supposed to be hidden (e.g., beams and posts) or kept indoor (e.g., staircases) are purposefully brought to the fore for the whole world to see.
When Hatfield pitched the idea of carving a window on the midsole so that the air packets that provide cushioning will be visible, he was not met with enthusiasm. There were concerns about durability, and then there was that good old conservative notion that the characteristic workings of a shoe are best kept hidden. In fact, there were moves to remove him from the design team. Good thing he found an ally in Dave Forland, Nike's Director of Cushioning Innovation at the time, and the Air Max was finally released on March 26, 1987.
The shoe became the spark that Nike needed to keep itself afloat in the midst of fierce competition. The window idea did pay off, and that's probably because it wittingly added a unique touch to an otherwise old technology--the Nike Air which had already been in use since the late 1970s.
Because of its success, the Air Max 1 has been through a lot of transformations since its release. One of the most noteworthy is the release of the Air Max 180 in 1991. This model, according to Forland, is one of the most difficult Nike Air Max shoes to put together; its design called for the packets to be visible not only when viewed from the sides, but also when viewed from the bottom.
In 2015, Nike took an interesting turn to celebrate yet another milestone for the Air Max series. Instead of moving forward and creating new designs and incorporating new technologies, the company dug deep into its archives and created a shoe that served as one of the inspirations behind the Air Max 1.
After languishing in the archives for close to 3 decades because of its futuristic design and construction, the Air Max Zero finally came to light. It was somehow fitting that two years before the AM 1 turned 30 in March 2017, the shoe that helped start it all finally got the recognition and adulation it rightfully deserved. This makes the Nike Air Max Zero the real OG of the Air Max range.
The Growth in Popularity of the Nike Air Max Zero
Just two years since it has been introduced, the Air Max Zero already has several variations and has been the subject of a handful of collaborations. The versions coming from atmos and Staple are two of the most popular collaborative works based on the silhouette of the AM Zero. The Staple collaborative model was made exclusively for the Philippines. It features the brand's iconic grey and hits of vibrant orange.
In 2018, Nike released the Air Max Zero Imaginair collection wherein the brand had invited eight creatives to give life to their interpretation of the said shoe. This collective of artists include individuals from all over the globe. Some of them were Wang Junkai, Annie Leblanc, Sam Gordon, Mark Thomas, Sulivan Gwed, Kaycee Rice, Mademoiselle Garcia, and Lincoln Markham.
Celebrities who were spotted stomping around town in a pair of Nike Air Max Zero sneakers include athletes and musicians such as Lebron James, Wayne Rooney, Victor Cruz, Niall Horan, Curren$y, A$AP Twelvyy, and Martin Garrix.
Colorway and Material Variations
Another reason for this shoe’s fame is its wide variety of color options. From basic hues to unique and vibrant ones, the Nike Air Max Zero delivers on feet goodness through its colorways. Check these essential Nike Air Max Zero colors in white, black, grey, blue, red, yellow, green, and black and white. For more adventurous options check the Nike Air Max Zero gold, metallic silver or silver bullet, as well as the Nike Air Max Zero in ultramarine, oreo, and dark loden color schemes.
The Nike Air Max Zero is also available in a few upper material choices. A rip-stop nylon upper was exclusively released for the women while a leather-crafted model could be ideal for colder seasons. Also, it could be useful to know that the textile used on this shoe also varies – from mesh, knit, and neoprene.
- Textile is used on the upper of the Nike Air Max Zero to make sure that the wearer experiences high levels of breathability.
- The upper has molded overlays to provide shoe structure reinforcements and more secure foot support.
- In addition to the air packets that are situated directly below the heel, the shoe also uses durable IU foam on the rest of the foot to ensure comfort.
- This Nike Air Max Zero is a slip-on shoe, and its tongue is securely connected to the rest of the upper.
- The tongue and collar have adequate padding for more comfort.
- There are flex grooves in the outsole for some semblance of flexibility.
- Nike Sportswear Designer Graeme McMillan is the one who unearthed this sneaker from the archives and propelled its ultimate release.
- The shoe is also available the following versions: Premium, Special Edition, and Quick Strike versions, aptly called the Nike Air Max Zero Premium, Nike Air Max Zero SE, and Nike Air Max Zero QS.