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Rocking vintage kicks have become a popular method of capturing that true retro styling sought out by sneakerheads and hipsters alike, and so Nike began a controversial collection of ‘VNTG’ sneakers – that is, taking freshly manufactured models and giving them a vintage makeover. You can typically find these Nike VNTG models with softer suede, pre-yellowed midsoles and the 70′s Nike tongue label, but the recently released Nike Air Max Light is hardly from that true ‘vintage’ era. In fact, it’s barely even an 80′s baby, as the Air Max Light (actually the Air Max II) was born just before the turn of the decade, sandwiched between the Air Stability (Stab) of ’88 and the iconic Air Max 90 (III) of ’90. It took eighteen years for the Light to see the light of day, with most of the great releases dropping as Euro exclusives and collaborations – most of the U.S. drops were available at chain retailers in crazy colorways and didn’t induce the excitement a true flagship Air Max would have.
Nike Sportswear finally decided to drop the two original Air Max Light colorways in late 2011, but in the oft-maligned ‘VNTG’ form, but it’s clear Nike got it down pat by pre-yellowing just the rear portion of the two-piece midsole (the rear was built with polyurethane, the forefoot with EVA, which resisted yellowing). Want to see for yourself? Sneaker News has for you a nice side-by-side comparison between the true original and the redone Retro, and you’ll quickly see that the OG has that two-toned yellowing with a truer aged appeal, down to the discolored thermoplastic straps, dingy mesh, and oxidation on the outsole. A picture says a thousand words, and we’ve got a ton of ‘em below, so check out this great Nike Air Max Light OG vs. VNTG comparison below and let us know what other Nike models you’d like to see with the ‘VNTG’ treatment.
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With Nike Sportswear’s VNTG releases, you can relive the past without the worry of the memory crumbling at your feet…literally. Since Nike started to pre-yellow its midsoles and wear down the suede uppers, the search for true vintage kicks may have slowed down a bit, and the most recent releases of the Air Max Light Quickstrikes, the search may but all be over. These Lights have that true old-school appeal with the softer, aged appeal, and the fact that only the rear portion of the two-part midsole was yellowed is actually quite accurate – only the polyurethane is vulnerable to yellowing while EVA at the forefoot is not. Check out the new shots of these releases below and pick them up now at stateside retailers like WEST or on eBay.
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Nike Sportswear has earned mixed reviews for the pre-yellowed look it usually applies to Vintage series releases, but Sneaker News readers were particularly vocal in discussing our first look at the red pair from this pack yesterday. It seems many would be thrilled with the Nike Air Max Light VNTG in classic colors with mesh and muted suede tones, but the oxidized rear midsole might be the kind of thing that’ll send some to order a fresh bottle of Sea Glow. But whether you’re for or against the yellowed foam look, it’s hard to argue against getting this oft-overlooked classic with its original Swoosh and shape; will you be making arrangements to grab one or both when this Quickstrike two-pack touches down on Friday, December 2nd at stores like Stickabush?
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The Air Max Light doesn’t get too much love, but many of readers did appreciate one of our Sneaker News: Classics Revisited segment which placed a worthy spotlight on an OG pair. Arriving at select Nike Sportswear retailers is the Nike Air Max Light in original colorways, given a full VNTG treatment – pre-yellowed soles, softened sueded, mesh uppers, the works. Even the outsole has that chalky residue, which is a result of oxidation. The VNTG effect, oftened maligned, fits right in with the stuck-in-a-storage-box appeal with the Air Max Light, doesn’t it? These are a Quickstrike release so expect them only at select accounts like ShelfLife in Europe, so act fast once you spot them because they’ll be gone fast!
Nike Air Max Light VNTG QS
White/Neutral Grey-Sport Red
482932-100
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Tirelessly re-used, but hardly old, the Black/Volt combination reigns king among classic Nike colorways. Ever since the Black/Grey/Volt colorway debuted on the Air Max 95, Nike has tried to implement that unbreakable combo to all of its Nike shoes. Dave White calls that combo a favorite, and UK sneakerheads were fortunate enough to get a true Black/Grey/Volt colorway of the Air Max Light, but here’s yet another Light in an equally jaw-dropping colorway; set against a black base, the Volt just pops out of the screen and again reminds us that no sneaker can be questioned when featured in Black/Volt. These are available right now from overseas retailer Titolo so take another look after the jump and let us know what you think of the colorway.
Nike Air Max Light
Black/Volt-White
315827-039
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It has begun to feel like less of a European exclusive thanks to the magic of the internet, but the fact is, the vast majority of new Nike Air Max Light releases are European exclusives. The latest such example is this dope new pair of AM Lights, a Wolf Grey and Anthracite mix with white on the Swoosh and midsole that’s either the perfect punctuation for essentially any outfit you could imagine, or perhaps the ideal candidate for that stash of colorful laces you keep for occasions like these. Click through to see more angles and pick up a pair from the only place in the world that carries this colorway: JD Sports.
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Among the sleeper hits in Nike Sportswear’s classic Air Max running lineup if for no other reason than their scant availability here in the states, the Nike Air Max Light is back for another lap around the track. This new colorway for summer manages to meld the AM Light’s classic style with contemporary colorblocking tendencies, offering a tonal grey suede-n-mesh base from which blue accents can burst. Click through to get a better view of the latest Air Max Light and look for these at select NSW retailers in Europe like Titolo.
Nike Air Max Light
Neutral Grey/Blue Glow-White
315827-038
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The Air Force 1 Premium stands to be Nike Sportswear’s single biggest denim sneaker release in May 2011, but is it the best? Check out this impressive new Nike Air Max Light that looks to have been done with a very similar material as the AF1s. They come off quite differently, though, thanks to the omission of Metallic Bronze stitching in favor of a clean tonal look that feels even crisper thanks to white hits on the sockliner and midsole. Click through to get a better look and let us know how these compare to the upcoming ‘Denim’ AF1 Low and the black denim Air Max Light that just touched down, and if you’re feelin’ this pair of AM Lights, grab yours from the only place that sells ‘em: Britain’s JD Sports.
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Faux denim’s been a big hit with Nike recently. The Nike Dunk High FFF Pack, Air Max 90 in three colorways, and even two SB releases in the Dunk High and Harbor have featured the funky material. This new colorway of the Air Max Light features faux denim in black on the upper, matched with a nubuck swoosh and a mesh toe-box and ankle collar. Throw in a tonal black midsole and Childrens Blue (do NOT confuse this with Adults Blue) on the Nike Air insignia on the heel, the tongue label, Max Air unit, and on a fragment of the outsole. JDSports has these in stock so peep the gallery of images below and let us know if this faux-denim Air Max Light is something you’d consider adding in your rotation.
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When it comes to summertime kicks, you’re looking for style and comfort, preferably in a lightweight and cool package, and what Nike Sportswear retro running release better reflects these desires in name and execution better than the Nike Air Max Light? The AM Light is still something of a cult favorite here in the US thanks to many of the best releases remaining European exclusives, but this new duo is sure to draw its fair share of attention when they hit store shelves shortly. One model has quite an intense look with Alarming Red accents setting off the otherwise black design while another in neutral grey with Photo Blue and Neo Lime hits has a bit of the ‘Sprite’ look. Quench your thirst for more images by clicking on the jump below and grab a pair (or two) today from Kix-Files.
Nike Air Max Light LE
Neutral Grey/Black-Photo Blue-Neo Lime
315827-036
Nike Air Max Light LE
Black/White-Alarming Red-Voltage Cherry
315827-035
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