March may signify the official bloom of Spring, but it also features a special date in sneaker culture with the celebratory holiday, Air Max Day, on March 26. The lore that the Air Max 1 tells surrounds the triumphant introduction of a performance running shoe and a boon for Tinker Hatfield‘s career. Hatfield’s innovative design not only expanded Nike Air technology but spawned a dedicated fanbase, alongside a slew of imitators who would try to copy the shoe’s aesthetics. Unveiled in 1987, the Air Max 1 and subsequent lineage has proliferated 32-years of colorways, materials and models, exposed to multiple generations who’ve adopted the technology into their lives.
GOAT examines some of the most coveted iterations of the Air Max line.
Lowest Price: $285 USD
atmos, for many of its Japanese enthusiasts, has been a pillar within the sneaker community. The brand has done such great work, it has sparked international interest and praise. The worldly appeal has allowed the retailer to work on numerous collabs with Nike, most famously its 2006 Air Max 1 which featured elephant print and bright Jade details. Ten years after the original release, sneakerheads were clamoring for its return thus vaulting it to win the “Vote Back” contest and re-releasing on Air Max Day 2017.
Lowest Price: $10,000 USD
It only makes sense that an Englishman would gravitate towards an Air Max for the release of their first collaboration with the Swoosh, considering London’s cultural love for the silhouette. Promoting the release of his 2009 LP, Tongue in Cheek, Dizzee Rascal connected with designer Ben Drury to fashion together a special Air Max 90, marking a literal and metaphorical reference to the album.
Lowest Price: $175 USD
If you’re a fan of cowboys and the wild west, or possibly just like refreshing designs to a classic Air Max, the “Wild West” edition will definitely catch your eye. The denim colored suede eyestay sits atop a rugged tan suede, with a red paisley handkerchief inspired stripe that rounds out the theme on the Air Max 95.
Lowest Price: TBD
Earlier this year, graphic designer Gwang Shin won the Nike On Air challenge. His Air Max 97 design, the “Neon Seoul,” will make its debut outside of the Air Max Day 2018 celebrations. Inspired by the Taegeuk symbol on South Korea’s flag, Shin’s creation draws heavily from his city’s lively and colorful night scenes via a matte-black body with vivid neon contours.
Lowest Price: $210 USD
Utilizing the classic Air Max 98 runner silhouette, the Supreme x Nike Air Max 98 became a coveted release during the spring of 2016. Its 360-degree reflective piping, usage of patent leather and unique color blocking channeled a ’90s aesthetic. The exclusive drop was also paired with a Dri-FIT runner hat that was initially released at Supreme locations and later on the web at Supreme and NikeLab.
Lowest Price: $140 USD
After the initial success of the Air Presto Mid and Air Force 1 Downtown Hi SP collaborations, Errolson Hugh’s take of the Nike VaporMax surfaced before an official release. With much anticipation, Hugh‘s ACRONYM x NikeLab project dropped on March 2018 in a new rendition— the Air VaporMax Moc. Its black and white palette graces a custom camo pattern onto the laceless Flyknit silhouette; while Nike’s hallmark Volt is implemented as an accent hue from the heel to tongue as well as ACRONYM branding.
Shop GOAT’s curated collection of Air Max sneakers here.