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
Where To Buy The Nike Air Max 1 “Ugly Duckling – Ceramic”
Borrowing inspiration from a legendary Dunk Low collection, the Nike Air Max 1 “Ugly Duckling” pack is due to close out the silhouette’s 35th Anniversary...
Where To Buy The Nike Air Max 97 “Silver Bullet” (2022)
Last seen in 2017, the Nike Air Max 97 “Silver Bullet” is set to return on November 11th in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Back...
Where To Buy The Nike Air Max Scorpion “Lemon Wash”
First teased in late December 2021, the Nike Air Max Scorpion “Lemon Wash” finally debuts on October 5th. As the brand’s first Air Max silhouette...
Where To Buy The Nike Air Max 1 “Dirty Denim”
Despite an arguably lackluster eight months, the Nike Air Max 1‘s 35th anniversary celebration continues to churn out new styles of the innovative silhouette. As...
Where To Buy The Patta x Nike Air Max 1 “White”
The city of Amsterdam and the Nike Air Max 1 have been synonymous for the better part of 25 years. Over that time span, the...
Where To Buy The Nike Air Max Penny “Home”
Despite not having his own label under the Swoosh’s conglomerate, Anfernee Deon “Penny” Hardaway has one of the most celebrated signature sneaker lines of all-time....
Where To Buy The Nike Air Max 1 Womens “Tour Yellow”
Nike has spent the better part of 2022 celebrating the Air Force 1’s 40th Anniversary. But as we embark on the second half of the...
Where To Buy The Nike Air Max Penny “Orlando”
Among the more excruciating “What If?” possibilities in NBA history falls on none other than Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, the Memphis stand-out that rose to stardom...
Social Status To Launch Nike Air Max Penny 1 “Recess” Collaboration With One-Of-A-Kind Giveback Initiative
Time and time again, James Whitner of The Whitaker Grp has reaffirmed that he’s here for something much bigger than himself. Each swoosh and Jumpman-branded...