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 the Nike Air Max Dn joined the family, receiving a massive spotlight in the first half of the year as it made its official debut. For 2025, “Dynamic Air” will loom large once again via the Air Max DN8, an extension of the Dn’s full-length Air chambers and an expected star of Air Max Day alongside the Air Max Muse.
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
Nike Commemorates The Scottish Open On The Air Max 90 Golf
Following an Air Max Plus Golf for the U.S. Open last month, Nike is continuing to move in lockstep with the sport’s calendar with a...
Nike Unearths The Air Max Plus VII For Fall 2025
From our position, obscure Nike Air Max models make for some the most fun and energizing news topics. Mainstay silos like the Air Max 1,...
Official Images Of The Nike Air Max 95 OG “Black Border”
Updated July 3rd, 2025: The Nike Air Max 95 OG “Black Border” aka “Emerald” has surfaced via official images. Although a release date has not...
Nike Strikes “Blue Lightning” On The Air Max 90
Regardless of which Nike Air Max model rules the moment (that’s the Air Max 95 this year), Tinker Hatfield’s Air Max 90 will always be...
The Nike Air Max 90 Lights Up A Dusky “Hyper Crimson” Look
Almost entirely on the back of the Patta x Air Max 90, the Tinker Hatfield model has crashed back into the foreground of the visible...
Comme des Garçons Brings Back The Nike Air Max Dolce As A Sneaker Loafer/Mule
Comme des Garçons HOMME Plus is patient zero when it comes to bringing old and obscure Nike models back into the market. For SS26, they’ve...
The Nike Air Max Plus Keeps It Clean With A “Wolf Grey” Gradient
While Sergio Lozano’s Nike Air Max 95 will go down as the undisputed Air Max sneaker of the year, the Air Max Plus is still...
Premium Goods Is Dropping A Hyper Limited Nike Air Max 1 Collaboration On July 18th
From Houston to Brooklyn, Premium Goods has been living up to its name by providing locals with the choicest in gear. Now, the reputable retailer...
Nike Channels Bruce Lee On The Air Max Muse
Due in no small part to the resurgence of Onitsuka Tiger’s Mexico 66, the “Bruce Lee” nickname for black and yellow sneakers remains very much...