This Leopard-Printed Nike Air Max 90 Continues The Exotics Movement

Big Cats are all the rage.

Sneaker News January 17, 2025

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From Black Cat 4s to Year Of The Snake Jordans, exotic animal prints and patterns have crossed over into the world of sneakers with buttery smooth ease. It’s a decades-old tradition that has stood the test of time as Nike continues this movement with this upcoming Air Max 90 “Leopard”.

Releasing later this Spring 2025 season exclusively for women, the Air Max 90 icon steps forward in what appears to be the classic color-blocking style devised by Tinker Hatfield and Co. back in 1990. A black leather mudguard, a matching kit that includes the heel medallion, Air Max housing, and eyelet, and sport mesh layering on the toe and ankle are all familiar elements, but there’s one key upgrade that truly allows these to stand out.

That is, quite obviously, the big cat pattern on the upper quarter that streams downward to the toe-guard. The spots of a leopard are seen in its near-natural colors of Sanddrift and Hemp often found in wilderness.

Again, Nike.com and select retailers will stock the Air Max 90 “Leopard” later this season exclusively for women.