HOW AIR MAX BECAMETHE BACKBONE OF NIKEFOR 35 YEARS

The evolution of Nike Basketball hinges on its innovation, and Air Max was a big leap forward for the brand – a leap that may have separated itself from the pack. But the value of Air Max doesn’t restrict itself with performance. Nike first brought Air Max to its footwear with the Air Revolution and eventually the Air Jordan 3. Later, larger volume Air Max appeared in Charles Barkley’s most popular signature shoe – the Air Max CB ‘94, a shoe that recently returned to stores. The Air Max Penny, the debut model for Penny Hardaway, also boasted a big bubble at the heel, and for that it goes down in history as one of the best sneakers of the 1990s.

Air Max found its uses outside of running and basketball. Cross-Training and other versatile athletic shoes greatly benefited from the advanced cushioning technology, and no better athlete to give even more of an advantage like Bo Jackson. The Air Trainer SC and Air Trainer III both boasted visible Air Max units, while the Air Griffey Max 1 featured the brand’s multi-chamber zonal Air Max that broke onto the scene in the mid-1990s.

The Air Max running lineage might be the backbone of Nike Sportswear, Air Max 1s, 95s, and 97s stand among the most famous Nike shoes of all-time; each of those models are instantly recognizable for their design, but more so for their influence on lifestyle street fashion. Although these three don’t need an introduction, we want to take the time to pay homage to these undeniable classics – the Air Max 1 “Sport Red”, Air Max 95 “Neon”, and Air Max 97 “Silver Bullet”.