John Kim 
Finishing off this week of bundles of Nike footwear here in Classics Revisited tied together by a distinct theme is the trio of Air Max releases from 2006 called the ‘Kashima Antlers’ Pack. This unique set was a tribute to the Kashima Antlers professional football club in Japan – the most successful club in the history of the Japan League Division 1 since its inception in 1993, but the origin of the Antlers club dates back to 1947. The Nike ‘Kashima Antlers’ Pack featured three significant models; the Air Max 95 and the Air Max 97, both of which are widely popular in Japan, and the Air Max 360, which debuted in late January of 2006. Of the three colorways, only the Air Max 360 is designed with the Kashima Antlers kit colors in mind (White, Black, and Red), but all three compositions capture a singular theme that were widely popular when the Kashima Antlers Pack was launched globally in late February.
The Air Max 95 features the pristine Gold and Royal colorway, using the Beige color as an accent on the upper mesh (Beige is on the official Kashima Antlers club crest). The Air Max 360 featured the widely popular laser detailing on the upper with Kashima Antlers FC written in Japanese on the tongue. The most popular and coveted of the entire Pack is the Air Max 97, which boasted the much-beloved elephant print on the upper with a teal-colored Max Air unit. The ’97 also featured Kashima Antlers branding on the tongue as well as on the heel pull-tab. Included in this special edition release was a custom tissue paper that lined the box as well as an envelope containing mini postcards of the world’s most significant football clubs – Man U. and Boca Jr’s to name a couple. Check out a gallery of all three from the ‘Kashima Antlers’ Pack below, and let us know if you’ve got any of these in your Air Max collection!
Nike Air Max 95
Metallic Gold/Varsity Royal-Linen-Net
312835-741
02/2006
$140
Nike Air Max 97
Black/Black-Track
312834-001
02/2006
$150
Nike Air Max 360
Black/Black-Pro Red
312832-001
02/2006
$160
Photos: ralmonte88/racso113/premiumsoles369 on eBay
