Despite what you may have read, Japanese bullet trains weren’t the inspiration for the iconic 'Silver Bullet' edition of the Air Max 97. Instead, designer Christian Tresser said his inspiration came from nature — specifically the ripples created when water drops into a pond. In his design, silver reflective piping give the Air Max 97 a contrasting mechanical feel — a concept that Tresser said came from his love of mountain bikes and their metal components. The 97's were the first shoes to feature full-length visible Air, making them one of the most innovative shoes of their time.
