Latest Pickup: Nike Air Max Dawn
Nike Air Max Dawn Review:
In the era of hype, it’s good to know that great budget-friendly sneaker options still exist. In this quick review, we’ll touch on the following attributes:
•Sneaker Quality
•Sneaker Comfort
•Fit and Sizing
•Detailed Images
Our Rating
Nike’s Budget-Friendly Air Max Dawn Athleisure Shoe Is An Amazing Value For The Price!
My Initial Impressions
I’m kind of embarrassed to say this, but this is probably my first budget-friendly Nike purchase I’ve made in over a decade. As mentioned in the intro, I’ve fully bought into the ‘hype-era’ and have purposely steered away from the newer silhouettes in Nike’s lineup, opting to purchase the ‘classics’ time and time again.
As far as the Air Max Dawn, there’s just something about its retro-inspired looks and overall understated design, that drew me to the silhouette and made me change course with this purchase. This athleisure shoe reminded me of the brand’s ‘80s Air Max sneakers, which is never a bad thing in my opinion, and with a sale price of $62, I just couldn’t resit.
While this colorway wouldn’t be my first choice, the colors do work well on the silhouette and I can confirm that the Air Max Dawn is a low-key gem - even if the ‘hypebeasts’ won’t agree. From the quality, comfort, and value, this a budget-friendly, everyday sneaker that checks all the boxes.
If you’re in the market for a practical athleisure shoe, the look no further. These are absolutely worth the retail price and an absolute steal if you’re able to find them for any amount less.
The Quality
Nike Air Max 1 Dawn
How is the Craftsmanship?
I have to give Nike credit where it is due. The craftsmanship on this shoe was superb and is arguably better than some of their mass-produced premium offerings. The stitching throughout the upper was on-point and I wasn’t able to find any weird glue stains anywhere on the upper.
Although craftsmanship varies from pair to pair, I feel pretty confident in saying that there most likely won’t be many issues with this pair across the board, just based on how it is constructed.
what are the Materials like?
The Air Max Dawn is one of Nike’s sustainable offerings which means that at least 20% of the shoe is comprised of recycled materials. I can’t determine which portions of the shoe are ‘recycled’, but that’s probably a good thing, don’t you agree?
Synthetic Suede Overlays: For a budget sneaker, you can’t really ask for much more from Nike. According to Nike.com the overlays are comprised of a synthetic suede material that has a convincing look from a distant and feel fairly soft and pliable to touch.
Breathable Mesh Base: The shoe’s mesh panels seem to be made of a synthetic textile material as well. Overall, the mesh functions properly by being both breathable and lightweight, although likely being tough to keep clean.
Plastic Swoosh And Heel Counter: The red leather swooshes are the standout feature of the shoe’s design and is comprised of a stiff polycarbonate material as opposed to leather that would normally be found on more-expensive options.
This material also makes up the white heel counter that provides the shoe with structural rigidity and foot stability.
recommendation
How To Clean
Due to the delicate nature of this shoe’s materials, here are a few ‘suede-friendly’ products to consider copping if keeping your Air Max’s fresh is a top priority.
I may earn a small commission if you purchase using one of these links.
The Comfort
Nike Air Max Dawn
How Comfortable Is The Air Max Dawn?
To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect when it came down to Air Max Dawn’s comfortably. All is knew is that the shoe’s looked comfortable based on images, but as I’m sure you’re aware, that’s far from being a reliable indicator for a shoe’s comfort-level.
To my surprise, these have excellent on-feet feel straight out of the box. The upper is inviting and the midsole has a fairly soft and responsive feel with each step. Although the shoe doesn’t appear to have any special Nike technology included, the foam midsole and visible Air unit in the heel offer ample cushioning for everyday wear.
Although you could probably get away with it, I wouldn’t necessarily call these a “gym” shoe. However, they offer all the attributes most people would want out of a shoe to wear while running errands, grabbing lunch, or anything that involves walking or standing for any considerable about of time.
recommendation
Where To Buy
Even if you missed out on the original release, you can pick up an authentic pair from one of the trusted selling platform(s) listed below. I personally like buying from GOAT due to their customer service.
I may earn a small commission if you purchase using one of these links.
Fit and Sizing
Nike Air Max Dawn
How Does The Air max dawn fit ?
The Nike Air Max Dawn fits comfortably when going with your most common Nike size. I wouldn’t call it ‘roomy’, but toe-area isn’t restricting at all thanks to the mesh upper material.
I personally wear 11.5/12 in most sneakers and have a slightly wider foot and prefer a more snug and secure fit when buying sneakers, so going with my most common Nike size (US12) worked well for me, personally.
Under no circumstances would I recommend anyone going down a half-size in this shoe and those with narrow feet should stay going true-to-size. Wide-foot buyers may want to go a half-size up, considering Nike’s running shoes are notoriously narrow.
You can check out our complete Air Max Dawn Fit and Sizing Guide where we share more sizing recommendations based on your individual foot type and preference.
Detailed Images:
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Founder & Chief Editor
Jared has merged his creativity, business acumen, and passion for helping others, to form a digital space committed to educating, engaging, and empowering people across the globe. #RetroSneakerLover
