The COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS Revival Of The Nike Air Max 96 Raises Eyebrows

Is the Japanese brand setting the table for a true Air Max 96 Retro?

John Kim June 24th, 2024 (updated)

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Collaborations between Nike and COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS often stay fixed on opposite ends of the creativity spectrum, drawing public reactions that are as equally polarizing as the product. One thing is true: CDG Nikes are never predictable, and what they have for Spring/Summer 2025 is once again here to get the Comments section abuzz.

I must say their recent string of transformative designs have been pretty incredible; credit is due where it’s due. The complete zen garden inspired re-mold of the Air Foamposite One was fantastic, while their simplified Air Sunder from mid-2002 helped the modern sneakerhead familiarize themselves with a forgotten model that will likely be one of the most coveted this upcoming Fall season.

Looking ahead, we’re witnessing the revival of the Nike Air Max 96, although “Air Max” hardly belongs. COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS debuted this next collab at Paris Fashion Week for their SS25 presentation, bringing back the iconic upper design of the 1996 model while replacing the chambered full-length Air Max unit with a thick foam platform bottom taken from the Nike ISPA Sense Flyknit.

: COMME des GARÇONS x Nike ‘96 @theshoegame

: COMME des GARÇONS x Nike ‘96 @theshoegame

: COMME des GARÇONS x Nike ‘96 @theshoegame

: COMME des GARÇONS x Nike ‘96 @theshoegame

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While it’s easy to be disappointed at another 1990s classic failing to make a proper return, the CDG x Nike ’96 could be another case in which the Japanese fashion icon once again sets the table for a future release a la the Air Max Sunder. Remember, the costliest aspect of sneaker manufacturing is creating the bottoms, but that’s not an issue here; Nike already took that extra step with the Air Max 96 II, the slightly younger fraternal twin of the Air Max 96, so we know all the pieces are in place. And if you forgot, Supreme did an actual Air Max 96 collaboration 2021 with the proper upper and sole.

Cdg Nike 96 — Nike Air Max 96 (Left); ISPA Sense Flyknit (Right) Nike

As it stands, the COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS x Nike ’96 is marked for a SS25 release. Thus far, only this pink/white colorway has been revealed, but we’d expect more considering CDG and Nike present their projects in batches. And hopefully, this signifies that a re-issue of the original Air Max 96 is in the works, possibly in 2026 for a 30th Anniversary.

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Written by

John Kim, Editor-in-Chief

John Kim is the current Editor-in-Chief of Sneaker News, taking over the role in 2014 after joining the company in 2009. Born and raised in Queens, NY, John has published interviews with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Pusha T, Pharrell, and more. He is considered among the most trusted voices in the industry and is a fixture at important brand events across the globe.