WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
Nike Air Max is the greatest sneaker line in history. *Drops Mic*
It’s a bold statement but one we feel is indisputable too. Sure, everyone has a right to their opinion but quite frankly, any other opinion is invalid. C’mon, think about it. The Air Max 1: iconic. The Air Max 97: essential. The Air Max 720: the future.
What’s the secret to Nike’s Air Max success? A passion for science. They aim to revolutionise our sneaker experience, continuously developing the air technology in innovative ways with each new release.
Therefore, to better understand the swoosh-embellished sneakers that we sport today, we must first go back and explore the history of Air technology. With a little help from fellow sneakerhead Zack Schlemmer (Senior Editor at Stadium Goods), we share with you our complete Nike Air Max timeline.
Next to the Air Jordan line, the Air Max line is the most important and significant piece of sneaker culture that there is. - Zack
1978
Air technology is used in a sneaker for the first time
“Nike Air technology consists of pressurised air inside a tough yet flexible bag and provides more flexibility and spring without compromising structure. The Air-Sole units maintain their given form with elasticity, lower impact and keep the shoe snug and lightweight.” - Nike
In 1978, Nike debuted the Air Tailwind — the first sneaker to feature air cushioning technology. The revolutionary idea of adding air to a sneaker came from former NASA engineer Frank Rudy. One small idea from Rudy, one giant leap for Nike.
The Air Tailwind sneaker was first released in extremely limited quantities for the 1978 Honolulu Marathon before releasing to the public a year later. We imagine that was a very long, painful year for first-generation hypebeasts.
1987
Nike Air Max 1
“Air Max sneakers are special due to Tinker Hatfield’s incredible early designs. The Air Max 1 is one of the greatest sneakers ever, and the mystique of the Air Max line all starts there.” - Zack
Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the Nike Air Max 1 was the first sneaker to offer a window to the sole. The out-of-the-box thinker was inspired by the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris to design the sneaker that made its Air technology visible.
Original Colourway: University Red and White.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "There are so many great Air Max 1 collaborations which makes it hard to pick just one. But I’ll go with the original atmos x Nike Air Max 1 Safari from 2003."
1989
Nike Air Max Light
Cutting Season. Like the Air Max 1 but (unsurprisingly) less weighty, Nike tweaked its successful silhouette with EVA foam for a brand-new feel.
Original Colourway: Red/White/Navy.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "OG Red/White/Navy."
1990
Nike Air Max 90
Of the classics, I find that the Air Max 90 is the most comfortable. - Zack
Originally dubbed the Air Max 3, The Nike Air Max 90 completely reworked the Air Max sneaker for the new decade. Still today, the Air Max 90 is one of the most popular sneakers in the world. Don’t even get us started on that Off-White collab (insert fire emoji).
Original Colourway: Infrared.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "Infrared, no doubt about it!"
1991
Nike Air Classic BW
One incredibly important element to the greatness of Air Max is the fact that there are so many OG colourways that are now iconic, such as the Persian Violet OG iteration of the Nike Air Max BW. - Zack
The Nike Air Classic BW was originally a sleeker version of the Air Max 90 with a bigger Air window (yes, the BW really does stand for ‘Big Window’). Most recently, the Nike Air Max BW has been updated with a full-length Air sole borrowed from the Air Max 97. First seen on a SKAir model by Skepta; we think the changes majorly upgrade the sneaker.
Original Colourway: Persian Violet.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "The Persian Violet is obviously the most iconic, but the often-forgotten original Marina/Jade colourway is amazing, and definitely my favourite."
1992
Nike Air Max 180
Time to get playful. The first Nike sneaker to display Air technology on its outsole, the Nike Air Max 180 (180-degree views of visible air) was in many ways a departure from the tried-and-tested formula of the early Air Maxs.
Original Colourway: Ultramarine.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "Ultramarine. One of my favourite sneakers ever."
1993
Nike Air Max 93
Created using a blow-moulding technique, the Air Max 93 (the original Air Max 270) took the design of the Air Max 180 and gave us coloured Air units (yess), a sock-like fit (yessss) and more air for our money (yassssss).
Original Colourway: Menthol.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "Menthol, but the alternative OG colourway with purple and orange accents is a close second."
1994
Nike Air Max 94
Entering more unfamiliar territory on our journey through Air Max history, the 1994 Air Max (predictably labelled the Air Max 94) is frequently overlooked or unknown by even the most avid sneaker collectors. So, what is it? It’s essentially a hybrid of the Nike Air Max Light and The Nike Air Max 93. And if you’re asking us, we think that makes it pretty damn cool.
Original Colourway: Court Purple.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "I’ll go with the OG Court Purple colourway."
1994
Nike Air Max 2
“My absolute favourite Air Max model is one that has still never had a re-release, the Air Max 2 from 1994. This was one of the last Air Maxs that Tinker Hatfield designed, and it introduced multiple Air chambers with different pressures for strategic cushioning and support (later found in the Air Max 95). The upper, speckled mudguard and different-coloured Air units in the heel all come together to make one incredible design.” - Zack
Original Colourway: White/Teal/Grey.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "White/Teal/Grey."
1994
Nike Air Max 2 Light
Déjà vu. Just as they did with the original Air Max, Nike created a lighter version of the Air Max 2. However, unlike the 1s, the Air Max 2 Light proved more popular than its predecessor.
Original Colourway: White and Blue Lagoon.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "White and Blue Lagoon."
1995
Nike Air Max 95
The ‘Neon’ Air Max 95 is almost impossible to keep in stock. - Zack
A sneaker of subtle branding and striking form; the Sergio Lozano designed Air Max 95 was created with the human anatomy in mind (a fun fact which seems simultaneously cool and slightly gross). It’s important to note that the Air Max 95 marks an important milestone in the Nike Air Max timeline as the complete overhaul in design signifies the brand’s confidence in its relationship with their consumer. In short: by ‘95, they had us.
Original Colourway: Neon.
Zack's Favourite Colourway: "You can’t go wrong with the original 'Neon' colourway, but I’ll go with the atmos ‘Animal’."
1996
Nike Air Max 96
An original ‘chunky sneaker’; the Nike Air Max 96 has a lot in common with today’s most sought-after silhouettes. In fact, with its minimal branding, layered upper and bulky sole being so en-vogue, we’re anticipating a re-release in the near future.
Original Colourway: White/Obsidian/Scream Green.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "White/Obsidian/Scream Green."
1997
Nike Air Max 97
Finally, full-length Air cushioning. The Air Max 97 — designed by Christian Tressler and inspired by waterdrops making ripples in a pond — is the darling of the sneakerhead community. And while the OG colourway is often dubbed the ‘Silver Bullet’, the hue was in fact inspired by the silver sheen of mountain bikes. (We feel like our whole life has been a lie.)
Original Colourway: Silver.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "It’s hard not to pick the ‘Silver Bullet’ because it’s so iconic, but I love the OG ‘Atlantic Blue’ colourway."
1998
Nike Air Max Plus
Florida: the location where Sean McDowell first envisioned a sneaker that drew inspiration from the beach. Palm trees swaying, colours of the sunset and sealife are all translated through design upon the Air Max Plus (better known as the Nike TN). It’s ironic then that the sneaker proved most popular in gloomy London. Why? Perhaps the vibrant sneaker was a form of escapism.
Original Colourway: Hyperblue.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "I can never decide if I like the OG ‘Shark’ (Hyperblue) or ‘Tiger’ better. I guess it’s a tie!"
1999
Nike Air Max Deluxe
Inspired by European rave culture (which was all the rage in 1999); the upper of the Nike Air Max Deluxe upper is completely covered by digitally-printed neoprene. Just like a rave, the trance-inspired trainers were created to be loud, vibrant and youthful.
Original Colourway: Photo Blue.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "Photo Blue."
2003
Nike Air Max 2003
The first significant release of the 00s acted as a breath of fresh air after the chaotic aesthetics of the late 90s. Monochromatic, clean and well-formed; the Nike Air Max 2003 (thought-up by Sergio Lozano of Air Max 95 fame) made promises of a sleeker feature.
Original Colourway: White/Silver.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "Metallic Red."
2006
Nike Air Max 360
A performance-focused silhouette, the Nike Air Max 360 is built upon an Air unit that is visible from every angle (something you probably guessed from its name). It reflects a time in which a sneaker’s ability to be used in sports was regarded as highly important.
Original Colourway: Red/White.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "Red/White."
2017
Nike Vapormax Flyknit
Return of the Max. That refined future Nike hinted at with the Air Max 2003 finally came 14 years later when the Flyknit Vapormax released. And oh boy, it was worth the wait. A Kathy Gomez design, the Vapormax is the first time the Air Unit stands alone as the sneaker’s sole. Combined with a flyknit upper, the feel and fit of the Vapormax is like no other.
Original Colourway: Pure Platinum
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "This is a tough one but I’ll have to go with the Acronym x Nike VaporMax Flyknit Moc Light Bone. That collab is crazy."
2018
Nike Air Max 270
In 2018, Nike looked back to their early 90s designs to inspire forward-thinking ideas — ideas to follow ever-growing interests in lifestyle sneakers. The result: a retrofuturistic sneaker that sparked interest with the brand-new Gen Z consumers.
Original Colourway: Black and Hot Punch/Blue/Orange
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "Black/Total Orange."
2019 (Present Day)
Nike Air Max 720
The sequel to the 270, the Air Max 720’s space-age look and bulky Air unit (the tallest airbag of the Air Max timeline) come together to create one of the most exciting sneakers of the 21st Century.
Original Colourway: Aurora Borealis.
Zack’s Favourite Colourway: "Aurora Borealis."
The Future
“After the Vapormax and Air Max 720, it’s hard to imagine what’s next. I’m not sure if it’s possible to put any more Air in a shoe at this point, but I’m sure Nike will find a way. I can see Nike’s self-lacing technology and Air Max cushioning being combined in the near future.” - Zack Schlemmer