Our verdict

There's no doubt about it, the Nike Air Trainer 3 is a beautiful shoe. A resurrection of the 1988 Nike Air Trainer SC, I am impressed with this pioneering crossover for multiple sports. Today it's a piece of history and looks the part too. There are some minor comfort issues I noticed, but with its durability, I definitely feel like it can last a lifetime.

Pros

  • Fits true to size
  • Durable leather construction
  • Retro styling
  • Surprisingly breathable
  • Could make a winter sneaker

Cons

  • Limited colorways
  • Not very flexible
  • Has hotspots where the shoe rubs on the toe

Audience verdict

88
Good!

Size and fit

Size

Nike Air Trainer 3 is true to size (11 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 99 trainers
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Nike Air Trainer 3 Flat Lay

The Nike Air Trainer III is a blast from the past, with a bit too much past

The Nike Air Trainer III holds a special place in history. Sports historians out there will recognise it from the 1988 release of the Nike Air Trainer SC. One of its original colorways emulates the leather medicine ball that sporting legend Bo Jackson always used. 

Nike Air Trainer 3 Upper Review

Since its birth in 1988, the Air Trainer III has had only three other releases, the most recent in 2019. The sneaker has held onto its history with retro colorways and an almost stubborn connection to its silhouette. While I love the prestige of a shoe like this, it’s a shame that they’ve not adapted parts of the construction for the 21st century. 

Nike Air Trainer 3 On Foot Review

With a construction that highlights the strapping and supports offered by a late 80s cross-trainer shoe, the Air Trainer III should and does fit true to size. The midfoot strap and lacing system wraps the foot into the shoe. 

 

While it’s a nice touch, today no one is lacing this up to go and play in the NFL, but the shoe embodies the retro elements and style that made the Air Trainer line popular back in the 80s. 

Nike Air Trainer 3 Cross foot strap

Literally, every part of the shoe is visible, yes, including the air bubble. This was originally released only a year after Tinker Hatfield brought out the first Air Max with the visible bubble. 

Bo Knows the beauty is in the details

Nike-Air-Trainer-3-Outer-Sole.jpg

Unable to get hold of a medicine ball colorway I picked up a pair in Black Deep Royal. Definitely a more understated colorway, it still holds the classic details from way back when. White leather upper with black plastic and leather hardware, a navy swoosh, and red accents. 

The tongue is woven cotton and woven inside, the date 07.21.1989 (21st July 1989 for everyone not in the US), the date Nike launched its “Bo Knows” campaign with the Air Trainer SC. The Air Trainer III wants to be a part of history, and with this attention to detail, it very well maybe. 

Nike Air Trainer 3 Inner Tongue

The Air Trainer III struggles to get comfortable in the 21st century 

It’s this need to be a genuine sneaker from 1988 that is its downfall. With a stiff construction and not much focus on daily support, the Air Trainer III just isn’t comfortable. 

Nike-Air-Trainer-3-Bend-Testing.jpg

Even given time to be worn in, the leather upper creates a few hotspots, especially around the pinky and the forefoot is stiff. You also have to risk cutting circulation to your foot to keep the heel secure. 

Nike Air Trainer 3 Toe Box Bend

The Air Trainer III has brought sturdy construction with it

Having said that, if you can get comfortable in it, the shoe is really well constructed. The leather is durable and super resistant to abrasion. Back before mesh uppers or flyknits, ventilation holes were the way forward and you can tell with the Air Trainer III. It’s still a very breathable shoe.

Nike Air Trainer 3 Upper Durability Review

It would also make a really good winter sneaker, although not waterproof their construction keeps most splashes out. The leather is hard to stain so should keep looking fresh, given some care, for a long time. Although, the same can’t be said about the cotton tongue. 

Nike Air Trainer 3 waterproof

Perhaps the Air Trainer III belongs on a shelf, rather than a pair of feet

As a part of sporting history the Air Trainer III-like Bo Jackson- belongs in the Hall of Fame, and as a retro-styled shoe, it definitely has a place in a wardrobe. But if you’re looking for the extreme comfort while looking great that is expected of sneaker releases in the 21st century, I’d look elsewhere. 

Nike Air Trainer 3