How Air Max Became The Backbone Of Nike For 35 Years

SPONSORED BY
Photography: TATSURO NISHIMURA

After its inception in 2014, Air Max Day has quickly transformed into a universally celebrated holiday in the sneaker community, and while it may have started as a fun marketing campaign by Nike. it’s since become a significant time of the year for the brand. The reinvigoration of Air Max has opened opportunities for the brand to drop fresh new products particularly in their running classics range, but did you know that Air Max is not limited to that sport?

Technically speaking, Air Max refers to any Nike shoe that not only utilizes Air cushioning, but visibly displays it on the midsole. While Air itself was introduced by Nike in the late 1970s, the first Air Max shoe didn’t land until 1987 with they Air Max 1. Nike has since expanded Air Max technology as the core of its performance aspirations, with a wide range of sports and athletic concentrations focusing on what we affectionately call the “bubble”.

While running is certainly at the forefront of Air Max, Nike has also brought it to their Cross-Training and Basketball line. In fact, some of the most famous Air Max shoes in history are from those specific categories. As a celebration of Air Max Day, we present to you a full roster of these classics, all of which can be yours on eBay where all purchases $100 and above are protected by Authenticity Guarantee.

The evolution of Nike Basketball hinges on its innovation, and Air Max was a big leap forward for the brand – a leap that may have separated itself from the pack. But the value of Air Max doesn’t restrict itself with performance. Nike first brought Air Max to its footwear with the Air Revolution and eventually the Air Jordan 3. Later, larger volume Air Max appeared in Charles Barkley’s most popular signature shoe – the Air Max CB ‘94, a shoe that recently returned to stores. The Air Max Penny, the debut model for Penny Hardaway, also boasted a big bubble at the heel, and for that it goes down in history as one of the best sneakers of the 1990s.

Nike Air Max CB 94 OG

Air Max found its uses outside of running and basketball. Cross-Training and other versatile athletic shoes greatly benefited from the advanced cushioning technology, and no better athlete to give even more of an advantage like Bo Jackson. The Air Trainer SC and Air Trainer III both boasted visible Air Max units, while the Air Griffey Max 1 featured the brand’s multi-chamber zonal Air Max that broke onto the scene in the mid-1990s.

Nike Air Griffey Max 1 Freshwater

The Air Max running lineage might be the backbone of Nike Sportswear, Air Max 1s, 95s, and 97s stand among the most famous Nike shoes of all-time; each of those models are instantly recognizable for their design, but more so for their influence on lifestyle street fashion. Although these three don’t need an introduction, we want to take the time to pay homage to these undeniable classics – the Air Max 1 “Sport Red”, Air Max 95 “Neon”, and Air Max 97 “Silver Bullet”.