North Carolina A&T is getting its own Nike Air Max 97 as part of the next Yardrunners collection, which shifts over to the classic runner after using the Air Max 95 last year. The Aggies are part of a new group of HBCUs featured for Fall/Winter 2026, with their pair dressed in the school’s familiar blue and gold colors.

Most of the upper stays white, but the layered sections running around the shoe bring in a Sail, Sport Royal, and Varsity Maize gradient. Blue continues across the tongue, lining, and one of the lower waves, while reflective white leather covers much of the remaining upper. The mix gives the Air Max 97 its usual layered look without taking away from the North Carolina A&T colors.

Aggies details are worked into the tongue, heel, and insoles rather than covering the shoe with school branding. Multicolor rope laces sit up front, and the yellow used above carries down to the full-length Air Max unit. Nike is also including a North Carolina A&T branded whistle with the shoes, a small extra made specifically for this Yardrunners release.

The timing also puts the North Carolina A&T colorway right ahead of the Air Max 97’s 30th anniversary in 2027. More pairs are already starting to surface around the model, including another return of the original “Silver Bullet” and the unusual laceless Air Max 97 that has rarely been seen since its earlier run.

The Nike Air Max 97 “North Carolina A&T” releases during Fall/Winter 2026 for $190 at Nike and select retailers.

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