Nike Air Max
Air Max is a revolutionary footwear cushioning technology created by sports athletics brand Nike. The idea of encapsulating Air into a midsole was first thought up by Marion Frank Rudy, an aerospace engineer. He presented his idea to Nike founder Phil Knight in 1977, who was very intrigued by the idea after testing a prototype running shoe. Air cushioning was used in Nike running footwear as far back as 1978 with the Air Tailwind running shoe. However, the Air was not visible as it was embedded into the sole.
Air Max didn’t come into the picture until 1987. Footwear designer Tinker Hatfield introduced the idea of making the Air cushioning visible to the eye, doing so on the Air Max 1 running shoe. At the time, running footwear was extremely plain, so he chose to do something completely different to align with the changing times of pop culture. Since then, a long history of running shoes have released, many named after the year they were released. These shoes are considered extremely important to sneaker culture as many collectors searched far and wide for limited editions and collaborations with Parra, Sean Wotherspoon, and atmos.
Since its inception, the visible Air revolution has expanded beyond running models – including sports like basketball. Many sneakers with a visible Nike Air bubble can be considered “Air Max,” but modified versions of the technology from over the years have launched with different names. The most popular retro sneakers under the line are the AM 1, the Air Max 90, and Air Max 95. Most of Nike Running’s marquee performance shoes no longer rely on the revolutionary technology, opting for a combination of responsive foams, full-length Air units, and Zoom Air bubbles. In 2024, two new models entered the family with the Nike Air Max Plus Drift and Nike Air Max Dn, the latter silhouette receiving a massive spotlight in the first half of the year as it made its official debut.
Nike’s modern offerings are more lifestyle-focused than before, leaving original designs from the game-changing family to enjoy proper retros, limited editions, and special collaborations.
Nike Air Max
A Third Nike Air Max 95 Crater With Recycled Wool Has Appeared
As NIKE, Inc. heads into 2021, the North American sportswear juggernaut is ramping up its “Move to Zero” initiative’s efforts, as it’s producing more sustainability-focused...
Nike’s Focus On Sustainability Lands On This Upcoming Air Max 95 With Recycled Wool
The Nike Air Max 95‘s milestone 25th anniversary has come to a close, but the silhouette isn’t turning to obscurity. Instead, it’s lined up an...
Nike’s Seasonal Silver Application Appears On The Air Max 95
Nothing rings in the new year quite like the shine of metallics and glitters. For the holidays and the start of 2021, Nike has already...
A Mountain-Friendly Nike Air Max 95 Colorway Sits Atop Metallic Silver Soles
Thanks in part to ACG’s influence, Nike’s inline releases have caught the outdoors bug, many tweaked to better take on the trail. In the case...
The Nike Air Max 95 Grabs Hold Of Stussy’s “Fossil” Look
Although its 25th anniversary has culminated with a return to original “Neon Yellow” form, the Nike Air Max 95 has gradually revealed some of its...
The Nike Air Max 95 OG “Neon” Releases Tomorrow
Widely considered one of NIKE, Inc.’s best sneakers of all-time, the Nike Air Max 95 “Neon” returns tomorrow, December 17th, in as close-to-original-form as possible....
This Nike Air Max 95 SE Is A Tribute To The History Of Air
Earlier in the week, Nike revealed a brand new take on the Air Max 97, dressing the silhouette up in both corduroy and multicolor accents....
The Nike Air Max 95 OG “Neon” Is Releasing In Full Family Sizes
First rumored in April, the Nike Air Max 95 “Neon” finally returns for the whole family on December 17th. Pairs throughout the silhouette’s 25th Anniversary...
The NikeCourt Vapor x Air Max 95 Goes “Triple White”
Last seen as part of Roger Federer’s footwear lineup in 2018, the Nike Air Max 95-inspired NikeCourt Vapor has recently emerged in an all-white colorway....