Nike loves anniversaries. As a company that assigns years to the names of most of their Air Max releases, they're pretty much setting themselves up for celebrations down the road. For icons like the Air Max 90, Air Max 95, Air Max 97, the homages are obviously well deserved. Those models have transcended sneaker design and remain perennially popular. But while models like the Air Max 98 may not have the same cultural cache, it does not make them any less worthy to honor. This year's Air Max Month coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Air Max 98's debut, and Nike will be paying tribute with the release of the Air Max 98 "Cone".

The Air Max 98 "Cone" covers the upper, which resembles the ocean waves and the sun's rays, in a vividly colored premium suede and nylon mesh upper on top of a full-length visible air sole. The eponymous Cone orange colors the suede mudguard, lining, nylon eyelets, embroidered lines and outsole and offsets the nylon mesh teal of the saddle and tongue. Purple hairy suede is the real hero here, wrapping the side panels, including an embossed patch. Yellow embroidery on the tongue and heel branding and side swoosh, white midsole and teal visible air unit finish off the details.

The Air Max 98 QS "Cone" releases in-store at our 1106 Chestnut St. location and online at lapstoneandhammer.com on Saturday, March 10th at 10:00am.

Photos by Evan Kaucher