In early 2020, Nike Sportswear released a GR white, red, and light blue colorway of the Air Max 97 which has become widely known as the “Gundam” colorway due to its color scheme being somewhat similar to that of the RX-78-2 Gundam from the Mobile Suit Gundam anime series. After selling out in its original run, this Air Max 97 has now been restocked by Nike almost four years later.
While “Gundam” is this colorway’s most popular nickname, the shoe is also dubbed “Chicago” or “Chicago All-Star” as its colors are similar to the Chicago flag and the shoe was originally released around the same time as the NBA All-Star Weekend 2020 festivities in Chicago. We may be biased as we are based in the Windy City, but we think this nickname works better as the light blue shade used on the 97s is a closer hue to the one on the Chicago flag then on the RX-78-2 Gundam. Besides, there is already a “Gundam” Air Max 98 that does a better job at capturing the RX-78-2 color scheme with the more accurate royal blue hue.
At the end of the day, this Air Max 97 is clean no matter what you want to call it. It features a predominately white leather upper with black and red piping, plus reflective light blue stripes that run throughout the upper. A light blue tint is also applied to the Air technology seen inside the clear Air bubble underfoot.
The Nike Air Max 97 “Gundam” (aka “Chicago All-Star”) is available now on Nike.com and at select retailers. Check out the official images below.
Nike Air Max 97 “Gundam”
Color: White/University Red-Psychic Blue-Black
Style Code: CW6986-100
Release Date: January 30, 2020
Restock Date: December 30, 2023
Price: $170 USD
Resell: StockX, eBay
