Nike Air Max BW (38)

The Nike Air Max BW in size 38 is one of the hardest sizes to track down in the vintage market. While the BW is celebrated as the iconic gabber shoe of the Dutch 90s, smaller sizes were produced in lower quantities and far fewer have survived three decades of wear and storage. Finding an original pair in this size is a genuine hunt.

The Air Max BW — short for Big Window, referring to its oversized visible Air unit — launched in 1991 and immediately became a streetwear staple in the Netherlands. Its connection to the hardcore techno scene gives it a cultural weight that most sneakers simply don't carry. For collectors focused on wearable vintage rather than display pieces, size 38 pairs in good condition command serious attention.

Be especially cautious with condition on smaller sizes. Because they're rarer, sellers sometimes price mediocre pairs as if they're mint. Check for Air unit integrity — tap the bubble and listen for a hollow sound, not a flat thud. Yellowed midsoles are cosmetic, but crumbling outsoles mean the shoe is done. Also verify you're looking at an OG or a retro — both have value, but the market prices them very differently.