NIKE AIR MAX

Nike releases the Nike Air Max 1, its first shoe with a visible air bubble. The sneaker was designed by Tinker Hatfield – to both perform on the court and look good on the street and boasted an ad campaign (accidentally) fronted by John McEnroe. Nike Air Max became one of the brand’s biggest lines, spawning the Nike Air Max 90, Nike Air Max 95, and Nike Air Max 97, among countless others.

Nike Air Max II is released with the midsole replaced with EVA foam, making it lighter than its predecessor. Re-released in 2007, Nike has continued to develop additional colorways of this style.

Originally known as the Nike Air Max III until its 2000 re-release, the Nike Air Max 90 lands – with hip-hop and Britpop helping sportswear make its move into streetwear, and with it, the sneaker. The shoe boasts an even bigger air pocket than previous designs. A bold red colorway (later known as infra-red) draws some serious attention.

The Nike Air Max 93 drops, with a 270-degree Air unit earning it the moniker Nike Air Max 270. It came with yet more “air,” with the visible air unit extending to the back of the heel. It was the first to feature a fully visible air unit from both the back and side.

In 1995, the Nike Air Max 95 was released, bringing with it a shake-up of the Air Max line. The giant signature tick is replaced with a subtle swoosh, and air units are included at the forefoot. A layered upper inspired by human anatomy boasts a cool gray and bright neon yellow pop of color – which is still coveted today. The Nike Air Max 95 design continues to appear in Nike’s later drops to this day.

Originally thought to be inspired by Japanese bullet trains, the Nike Air Max 97 appeared as a ‘silver bullet’ style design – with a rippled layered upper. Later, it came to light from designer Christian Tresser that the upper was, in fact, representative of ripples of water in a pond. The 97 styles debuted the full-length air unit and are still seen today with a new “Neon Seoul” colorway announced as part of Nike’s 2019 drop.

This year boasts the first major Air Max change since the Nike Air Max 97 debut of the full-length air unit. The new Nike Air Max 2003 design boasts a carbon-based fiber upper while maintaining the full-length bubble.

Almost 20 years in the making, Nike finally delivers 360-degree air on the Nike Air Max 360. Known perhaps more for its technological revolution than its style – the company paid homage to its journey with a red and white colorway inspired by the original Nike Air Max 1.

​With Flyknit technology released just a year prior, Nike added the coveted Air technology to its new running revolution. A sock-like upper combined with a 360 air bubble became a staple for the sneaker giant’s future Air endeavors