Nike Air Max Waffle “Hyper Blue/Metallic Gold/Black” FV6946-400

For better or worse, it feels like the “love it or hate it shoe” genre continues to pick up steam. Nike’s strongest entrant in that arena in 2024 was the Nike Air Max Waffle, an archival mashup concept that you likely regard as a perfect blend between dueling ends of Beaverton’s catalog or an awkward in-between amalgamation. If you’re in the latter camp, perhaps the right colorway can swing you in the opposite direction. Another chance for that emerges via the shoe’s first look in the new year, the Nike Air Max Waffle “Royal Blue.”

This checks off only the fifth Air Max Waffle Racer to date, meaning each successive look carries plenty of weight in projecting forward how the silhouette will continue to grow. To this point, The model has pulled from already-established looks for either one of its parent models (the Air Max Plus or Waffle Racer proper). Here, the blend of “Royal Blue/Metallic Gold/Black” embraces a colorway both have already taken to, executing the always-reliable combo of blue and gold, anchored by a suede mudguard and heel and jet black waffle tread underfoot.

The Nike Air Max Waffle “Royal Blue” releases on March 1st, retailing for $140. Catch detailed retailer images included below and keep an eye on our Sneaker Release Dates page for further updates on this launch.

Matt Varga is an Editor at SneakerNews. Initially earning a degree in Video Arts and Technology, he got his start in video editing and writing in the music world — primarily on hip-hop and electronic. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switching over to footwear. An avid collector, his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to either the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Laney,” his first ever pick-ups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, attending concerts and when weather permits, on the handball court.