There are few sneakers as important in Nike’s history as the Air Max 1. Tinker Hatfield’s experimental runner challenged accepted convention by exposing Nike’s proprietary Air technology to the world – literally! In tribute to this significant moment in Swoosh history, Nike has served up a quirky take on the very first Visible Air runner and in the process, delivered our latest pick for sneaker of the week: the Nike Air Max 1 ‘Sketch to Shelf’.
Nike Air Max 1 ‘Sketch to Shelf’
This latest Air Max 1 make-up revisits the ‘87 OG with a work-in-progress twist. Nike’s design team have plucked Tinker’s original Air Max 1 concept sketch from deep within the Swoosh archives and translated it as is – flaws and all – right on to the AM1’s legendary silhouette. The end result is crude and seemingly haphazard in execution, but this is entirely the point. Colours are applied to the AM1’s signature construction as rushed Pantone strokes, barely coating each area in the AM1’s most iconic colourway. That’s not all though!
Tinker’s very own notes handwritten notes from the original Air Max 1 concept sketch have been applied all over the sneaker. It’s an added touch that conveys the true genius of Tinker’s revolutionary design. The end result is far from the polished Air Max 1 we all know and love, but it makes for an interesting spin on a beloved classic that’s well worth adding to your Air Max rotation.
The Air Max 1 ‘Sketch to Shelf’ is set to release soon, through the Foot District online store. Pairs Go live on Tuesday 23th, so make sure your trigger fingers are at the ready bright and early if you want to take home this slice of Air Max history!
For more on Tinker Hatfield, make sure you check out our comprehensive biography right here.