Nike's '00s Laceless Air Max Sneaker Is Part Slip-On, All Crazy Tech
It's a pretty exciting year ahead for not only Nike itself but also the brand's most committed, longtime fans. Why? The sportswear brand is resurrecting some serious Swoosh classics for 2025, including the Air Max Craze, Nike's wildly techy sneaker from the early 2000s.
Specifically, the Nike Air Max Craze debuted around 2001 as a cross-training sneaker, as branded on its rubbery, rugged toe cap. The sneaker's incredible design was anything but quiet, as several advanced details helped it live up to the "craze" name.
The Air Max Craze explodes with innovative technical details, from visible Air windows in the chunky soles to the zipper "lace" closure similar to Nike's Air Max Sunder, another zip-tastic Swoosh shoe that recently got another chance at life. But this ain't a Sunder.
The Air Max Craze isn't a Air Huarache, either. However, it does have a heel strap detail like the other Nike cross trainer. Indeed, the biggest standout on the Nike Air Max Craze is its heel cage, which is quite literally the only part holding the shoe (and your heel) back from being another great mule-sneaker hybrid.
Although, with no real shoelaces and some slide-in appeal, the Air Max Craze can still easily pass as a slip-on sneaker. And so that's what it shall be.
Adding to the retro fervor, Nike has prepared the sneaker in one of its OG colorways, a navy blue and orange color scheme known as "Bright Citrus." Just a little something to get the OG Craze heads amped up.
Nike will also launch the reborn Air Max Craze in a spotless "White/Gold" color option, expected to land sometime in the spring.
Collecting dust? Nah, Nike's archival models will continue to see more action this year. In addition to the Nike Air Max Craze, Nike confirmed the return of its dressy Superfly, Deion Sanders' Air Diamond Turf, and those wonderfully weird Aqua Turf water shoes.
Gather your coins, Nike lovers. This year's drops just might break the bank.
