There seems to be a lot of debate as to which is the better release. This should sum it up for you to decide. The two main issues seem to be comfort and air unit size. The Air Unit size on the Original air max 90 is actually closer to the 2005, 2008, and 2010 retro’s not the large air unit of the 2003 release. The 2003 release had the white strip a long the cut of the air unit, something the OG’s had, but the other releases did not. The comfort of the Original is second to none, however a close second was the 2003 Euro/Asia release. The 2003 release used the original air units and was much lighter than the HOA release to follow. The HOA release was the heaviest of the bunch but was much more comfortable than the recent 2010 release. All pictures below are from the DeFY. New York Photo vault.
This is a comparison between the 2003 and 2005 HOA release. HOA Air unit on the left, and the 03 euro version on the right. The size is not drastically larger on the 2003’s but is larger. PLEASE ALSO NOTE BOTH SHOES ARE A SIZE 12
The back area of the 2005 HOA release was more narrow compared to the 03 release. HOA on left 03 euro on right
The insole were different as was the shape on the sides (more room better padding on the Euro’s. HOA on the left, euro on the right.
Now, I wanted to show everyone that the 2003 Version’s air unit size is not close to that of the Original Air max 90 check out the pics below.
The original 1990 Release of the Air Max 90 (notice that the air unit is not as large as the 2003 release)
The 2003 Nike Air Max 90 Euro/Asia release
2005 HOA Infrared’s. Notice the air unit is closer to that of the Original. Picture below is of a size 11.
2010 Nike Air Max 90 Infrared Retro. Picture below is of a size 12.5. Notice that this air unit and all around shape is the closest to the original
In conclusion you can obviously see that the 2003 air max 90 while much more comfortable than every other 90 retro after it does not have an air unit size as that of the original 1990 release. The 2010 release looks closer in shape, air unit size, materials, but not in comfort unfortunately.