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
Jewel Swooshes Bring A “Black/Yellow” Treatment To The Nike Air Max 90
For 26 years Nike’s expansive lifestyle archives have been dressed with bulbous Jewel Swooshes. This coming summer the Beaverton brand is exploring the bejeweled design...
The Nike Air Max 90 Adds Jewel Swooshes And A Greyscale Makeover
The Nike Air Max 90 isn’t new to contemporary design changes, whether it’s the model’s Futura or Terrascape counterparts that push a futuristic, outdoorsy aesthetic...
The Nike Air Max 90 “University Gold” Is Perfect For Summer
The Nike Air Max 90 debuted more than 30 years ago, but it continues to play an important role in the Swoosh’s lineup of products....
The Nike Air Max 90 Futura Presents Another Summer-Ready Colorway
From the Air Force 1 to the Air Max 97, no iconic Nike goes without a spin-off. The Air Max 90, too, has received its...
The Nike Air Max 90 Appears With “University Blue” Gingham Swooshes
As the Nike Air Max 90 continues to dominate sneaker rotations everywhere, the silhouette keeps experimenting with materials and color schemes. Ahead of summer, Tinker...
The Nike Air Max Terrascape 90 Prepares For Summer In A Vibrant Orange And Green Colorway
Summer is nearly here, and no brand is quite as prepared as Nike. From the Dunk Low to the Mac Attack, the Swoosh has lined...
The Nike Air Max 90 Futura Takes On Grey And Black Tones
As a relatively new model to the Swoosh’s lineup of footwear, the Nike Air Max 90 Futura has led the charge for a new design...
Skateboards, Mushrooms, And Other Patches Adorn This Kid’s Nike Air Max 90
Over the last two decades, the Nike Air Max 90 has cemented itself as a staple within the casual sneaker space. Ahead of summer, Tinker...
Nike Australia Boasts A Special Air Max 90 In Pistachio Green
For over two decades, Nike’s Tail Wind lineup has been ingrained within Australia’s youth culture. While the Air Max Plus specifically has remained the cream...