Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate: sizing and style

A zip-up sneaker that spent 25 years out of circulation and comes back as an object of desire? That's exactly what's happening with the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's), the reissue of the model Nike originally released in 1999, now back under the name Air Max SNDR. This one lands in a cool palette —ice blue, blue-grey and sail— that sets it apart from the noise of other retros and puts it right where streetwear is looking now.

The Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's) is the women's-sizing reissue of a 1999 Air Max, with style code FZ2068-400 and the Blue Tint / Sail / Silver / Ashen Slate colorway. Its signature feature is the zip shroud over the instep, alongside reflective silver overlays on the mudguard and Max Air cushioning in the heel and forefoot.

Side view of the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's) with the ice-blue upper and silver mudguard overlays — Side profile: Blue Tint dominates the body and silver runs along the mudguard.

What the Nike Air Max Sunder is and why everyone's talking about it

The Air Max Sunder isn't just another model in the Air Max catalog. It was born in 1999, right in Nike's era of experimenting with alternative closures, and disappeared for a quarter of a century. Its comeback as the Air Max SNDR has worked because it offers something the classic silhouettes no longer do: a rare build that's almost technical footwear.

The key is the zip shroud that covers the lacing. You can wear it closed for a clean, monolithic look, or open to show the inside. Add to that the pull tabs on the tongue and heel, a functional detail that also defines its look.

Close-up of the zip and shroud system over the instep of the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's) — The zip closure over the lacing, the model's signature since 1999.

Materials and colorway: how the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's) looks in hand

Blue Tint is a pale blue, closer to ice than to sky blue, and covers most of the upper. Ashen Slate —a blue-grey— is spread across panels and overlays, while sail brings that slightly aged bone tone to the foam midsole. The silver mudguard overlays are reflective, so with flash or direct light the sneaker changes completely.

Upper: layered construction in Blue Tint with synthetic overlays and Ashen Slate reinforcements
Closure: zip shroud over the lacing and pull tabs on the tongue and heel
Silver detail: reflective overlays on the mudguard
Cushioning: Max Air in the heel and forefoot on a sail-toned foam midsole
Fit: firm, wraparound hold in the heel area
Style code: FZ2068-400, in women's sizing

Close-up of the sail-toned midsole and Max Air cushioning of the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's) — The sail midsole breaks up the cool block of blues and greys.

Top-down view of the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's) pair showing the Ashen Slate grey panels — From above you can see the split between ice blue and blue-grey.

Nike Air Max Sunder sizing: do they run small? Should you go half a size up?

It's the most common question and it has a clear answer. The Air Max SNDR fits snug and on the narrow side: the last is compact and the zip shroud tightens around the midfoot. On paper it's true to size, but the consensus among people who've tried it is that half a size up improves the experience.

If you have wide feet or a high instep, go half a size up without thinking twice: the feeling of compression in the midfoot is the model's most common complaint. With normal or narrow feet, your usual size works, although you'll feel the hug for the first few days. The material gives a little with wear, but don't expect it to transform.

Rear view of the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's) with the heel pull tab — Heel counter and pull tab: the heel is held especially securely.

Real reviews: is the Nike Air Max SNDR comfortable?

Reviews are split, and it's worth saying so plainly. Some describe it as one of the most comfortable Nikes they've worn —the flexible upper adapts to the foot and the Max Air in the heel and forefoot cushions long days of walking or standing— while others never quite get along with it because of that narrowness.

The pattern is pretty consistent: people who get the size right are usually delighted; people who size too small aren't. You can check the availability and sizes of this colorway before you decide.

Close-up of the rubber outsole and traction pattern of the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's) — Rubber outsole with a pattern designed for everyday city wear.

Close-up of the padded interior and tongue of the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's) — Padded interior and tongue with a pull tab for easier on and off.

How to style the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's)

Cool blues with grey are among the easiest palettes to wear: they don't compete with the rest of the outfit, they finish it. These are the combinations that work best:

Full denim: wide-leg or baggy jeans, with the hem covering part of the mudguard and letting the silver peek through
Relaxed tailoring: grey or black suit pants with a white tee; the contrast between formal and a zip-up sneaker is just right
Technical and gorpcore: windbreakers, ripstop fabrics and muted tones; the model already plays in that territory
Cool monochrome: grey on grey or blue on blue, letting the sail midsole be the only break of light

Skip the ankle socks: with this much midsole volume, a tall white or grey sock balances the silhouette much better.

Three-quarter view of the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's) showing the midsole volume — Three-quarter view: the midsole volume calls for pants with drape.

Full pair of Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint Ashen Slate (Women's) on a neutral background — The full pair, with the contrast between Blue Tint, Ashen Slate and sail.

Why buy them at Next Step?

Because this colorway was released in women's sizing and the core sizes are the first to go. At Next Step you get them 100% new and authentic, with 14-day returns (calendar days) from delivery and fast shipping to Spain and all of Europe.

If this icy take on the 1999 retro has won you over, check out the full product page here and pick your size before yours sells out. And remember: half a size up if in doubt.

The silver overlays catch the light and change completely with flash.

FAQ

Does the Nike Air Max Sunder run big or small? +

It feels small: the last is narrow and the zip shroud compresses the midfoot, so even though it's nominally true to size, the majority recommendation is to go half a size up, especially with wide feet or a high instep. With narrow feet, your usual size works well.

What does SNDR mean and how does it relate to the Air Max Sunder? +

SNDR is the abbreviation Nike used to reissue the Air Max Sunder, the original 1999 model. It's the same silhouette: you'll see both names —Air Max Sunder and Air Max SNDR— used interchangeably by stores and specialist media to refer to this sneaker.

Are they comfortable for walking all day? +

Yes, as long as you get the size right. They have Max Air cushioning in the heel and forefoot, which makes them suitable for long days on your feet or walking, and the flexible upper adapts to the foot. Complaints about discomfort almost always come from people who sized too small and suffer from the narrow midfoot.

What's the style code for this colorway? +

The style code is FZ2068-400 and the official colorway name is Blue Tint / Sail / Silver / Ashen Slate. It's the reference to use to verify authenticity and to find the exact model, since this silhouette has been released in several different colorways since its comeback.

Where can I buy the Nike Air Max Sunder Blue Tint in Spain? +

At Next Step you'll find them 100% new and authentic, with fast shipping to Spain and the rest of Europe and 14-day returns (calendar days) from delivery of your order. Since this is a women's-sizing release, it's worth checking the availability of your size as soon as possible.