It’s LA vs. NYC In This Upcoming Nike Air Max 95

As the two biggest metropolises in the United States, New York and Los Angeles have long enjoyed a friendly — yet occasionally contentious — rivalry. NY is known for its grit and tireless hustle. LA is more known for its palm trees, sandy beaches, and endless sunshine. The Lakers and the Knicks boast some of the largest followings in all of professional sports, as do the Yankees and the Dodgers. This wide swath of influence and occasional rivalry carries over into the world of sneakers as well, as both are true street culture capitals. There’s a compelling argument to be made that New York birthed sneaker culture as we know it today, and Los Angeles has contributed immensely to the expansion of the sneaker game as well.

Now, Nike is nodding to the collective impact the two cities have had on the world of sneakers with a new Air Max 95 that offers a combination of instantly recognizable sports themed colorways from both cities. The left shoe offers a Lakers-esque combination of purple and gold on the lacing system, while the right opts for a Knicks-style orange and blue. Small colorful swooshes arrive on each shoe’s toe as well: yellow on the left, orange on the right. For an interesting detail flip-flop, each shoe utilizes the opposite city’s colorway on the tongue badge and Air Max bubble: orange and blue on the left, gold and purple on the right. A combination of black leather, mesh, and nubuck is called upon to serve as a base, while the midsole is dressed in a simple black as well to ensure that all attention is focused on the city-specific accents. Quashing any remaining doubt about the inspiration, “Los Angeles” is emblazoned on the left shoe’s insole and “New York City” on the right. The special kicks also arrive with a five-pack of colored laces so the wearer can mix and match to their heart’s content. These commemorative 95s are set to drop this Fall, so enjoy a first look below while you wait and let us know which city you’re rockin’ with.

Source: US11