Nike’s Air Max 90 doesn’t have any ties to the world of motorsport. It’s a technical runner turned lifestyle stalwart, but oddly the Swoosh has chosen it as the starting point for a handful of racing-inspired colorways over the last two years.

Last year we were treated to a number of colorways that took root in the color-blocked vinyls of NASCAR cars. Now, it seems that the Racing series is making a return with the new Nike Air Max 90 Silver Sage colorway.

While most auto-racing color schemes look to bold, saturated colors that embody speed and aggression, the Nike Air Max 90 Silver Sage palette takes a much more muted direction that puts the focus on texture and detailing.

In terms of texture, the upper features a combination of carbon fiber, perforated leather, and suede for a finish that can only be truly appreciated up close.

Beginning with a black sole unit and mudguard, the shoe breaks into its titular Silver Sage hue across the perforated leather and suede layers as well as the tongue and laces.

While the perforated leather may be a reference to the perforated leather of classic driving gloves, the concrete allusions to motorsport come in the insoles.

Featuring the same numbered graphics as last year’s racing series, the insoles make a direct reference to NASCAR. Does this suggest that there’s more racing-inspired colorways to come this year? If they’re as good as this one, we hope so.

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