The end of March marks the end of Nike’s month of Max. It’s been a rather quiet year this year, by comparison, with the Swoosh choosing to concentrate its efforts on community initiatives, rather than dish out any major collabs or tech breakthroughs. While there mightn’t be another ‘Wotherspoon’ dropping this year, there are still plenty of classic models you must have in your collection. To help you get your collection properly pumped. We’ve put together eight legendary Nike Air Max models you must own!
NIKE AIR MAX 1
The original and, arguably, still the best! The Air Max 1 debuted all the way back in 1987 as the first sneaker to feature Nike’s revolutionary Visible Air technology. The AM1’s exposed aesthetic, designed by Tinker Hatfield, was inspired by Paris’ iconic Centre Pompidou and remains on-trend to this day. The Air Max 1 has served as a base for some of the most iconic collaborations in all of sneaker history, but when you have a silhouette that looks this good, almost every colourway is a winner.
NIKE AIR MAX 90
Tinker Hatfield strikes again! Three years after the debut of the Air Max 1, Nike’s main maestro stunned the world once again with the release of the Air Max 90. The AM90 featured a significantly more aggressive design than the AM1 and its successor, the Air Max Light, which was further heightened by blazing ‘Infrared’ pops on the model’s iconic OG colourway. While the Air Max 90 seems to drift in and out of style, a fresh pair of Infrareds never fails to snap necks with every step!
NIKE AIR MAX 180
A controversial inclusion on any Air Max list, what we now know as the Air Max 180 wasn’t even branded as an Air Max upon its debut in 1992. The AM180 stunned with its jumbo 180° Air bag, visible right through the outsole. The one-time performance runner featured an elongated design, that clumped much of the model’s defining elements in the rear third. The model has developed a strong cult following since its original release, seeing it embraced for some of the most fiendishly sought-after releases and collaborations in Air Max history. Oh, and did we mention that His Airness Michael Jordan liked to wear these off the court?
NIKE AIR MAX 2 LIGHT
Another oddball from the early 90s, the Air Max 2 Light had all but been forgotten before Nike decided to finally bless the model with a retro return earlier this year, in honour of its 25th anniversary. The Air Max 2 Light was part of Nike’s short-lived Air Max 2 line, although it was never intended to hog the spotlight. However, the AM2 Light, with its contrast two-layer upper, would prove a surprise smash hit that, like fine wine, only got better with age. Just about every remaining OG pair had bitten the dust prior to this year’s long-awaited retro, making them an absolute godsend for Air aficionados. We don’t know if, let alone when, the Air Max 2 Light will see the retro treatment again after 2019, so make sure you stock your collection pronto – before it’s too late!
NIKE AIR MAX 95
The Air Max line underwent a serious evolution with the arrival of the Air Max 95. The model’s anatomical-inspired design was unlike anything we’d seen in the line prior, which, up until this point, had retained many obvious carryovers from early Air Max designs. Created by Sergio Lozano, the AM95 made its debut in a now legendary ‘Neon’ composition that saw the multilayered upper adopt a transitional grayscale that would set a standard for all AM95s to follow. Gradient transitions are the norm when it comes to the Air Max 95 and they make it one of the most visually striking runners on the market, even to this day.
NIKE AIR MAX 97
More than just another instalment in Nike’s Air Max history, the Air Max 97 is as important for its futuristic ‘Silver Bullet’ styling as it is for its cultural impact and adoption in Europe – especially in Italy. Its blinding reflective upper made it a particular favourite amongst ravers, who adopted it as something of a dancefloor staple in the late 90s. Today, the AM97 continues to don shelves in all manner of attractive makeups, and its full-foot Air bag makes it one of the most comfortable retro Maxes on the market.
NIKE AIR MAX PLUS
Known to some as the Air Max Plus and to others as simply the TN, this mighty Max never goes unnoticed in a crowd. Arriving in 1998, in a duo of memorable colourways inspired by the changing sky, this then-new sneaker introduced the world to Nike’s latest and greatest innovation in comfort: Tuned Air. Known for its ribbed upper and gradient fades, the Air Max Plus is an unapologetic sneaker made to be worn in similarly unapologetic fashion. The Air Max Plus is a model that comes with an oft-nefarious reputation, but just lace up and take one step and you’ll see why they’re worth all the fuss.
NIKE AIR MAX 720
The Air Max line didn’t stop in the 90s and has continued to innovate and evolve to this very day. The Air Max 720 is the newest member of the Air Max family and delivers the biggest bubble yet. This striking Air unit makes one hell of a statement on foot, but it also delivers godly levels of comfort. The AM720 has followed in the footsteps of the Air Max Plus, delivering an appetising assortment of gradient fades to please all tastes. While the Air Max 720 – like the Air Max 270 before it – may deviate from the line’s OG performance roots, it’s well worth adding to your collection to see just how far Visible Air has come.