The history of the Air Max is a long and visionary one. In 1979, Nike teamed up with aerospace engineer Frank Ruby and placed the first Air technology into the Tailwind runner. By placing air-filled membranes within the midsole, it revolutionized cushioning, making a significant impact on how athletes acted and responded.
After 8 years of R&D and creating some of the most famous models of all time, like the Air Force 1 and Air Trainer, designer Tinker Hatfield introduced the radical idea of visible air, allowing customers to see what was truly going on within the sole. It was such a crazy idea at the time, some Nike historians agree it almost got Tinker fired.
On March 26, 2017, popularized now by the title, “Air Max Day” Nike will celebrate the 30th birthday of visible air. Since 1987, Nike has created a diverse and progressive history of working the visible Air technology into more modern silhouettes. To honor three decades of innovation, the team at Nike has created a collection paying homage to some of the biggest hues along the way, while bringing us a new model representing the future of Air Max Tech. The collection will be released throughout March, in what Nike has coined “Month of Air.” Here’s everything that’s dropping.
Air Max 1 “Anniversary”
The one that started it all returns in the classic OG Sport Red/Grey-White and Sport Blue/Grey-White colorways. The red iteration is set to drop via the SNKRS app on March 4, 2017, with the blue pair dropping the week after on March 11th. They will also include OG packaging and anniversary dust bag. Priced at $140 each.
Air Max 90 Ultra Flyknit “Infrared”
Last week, Nike released visuals of its first set of colorways where Flyknit technology will be brought to the Air Max 90. Among the collection includes one of the most popular AM90 colorways of all time, the “Infrared.” Scheduled to drop March 2, 2017 at 10 AM EST, the pair will retail for $160.
WMNS Air Max Jewell “Max Shine”
Only he second women’s only silhouette ever produced, the Air Max Jewell takes heavy influence from the Air Max Plus. Scheduled for release 3/8 at 10 AM EST, the pair will cost you $100.
Air Vapormax “Platinum”
A new silhouette for Nike, the Vapormax brings together a flexible unibody Flyknit upper atop a full-length Air unit. This is a big step forward for the technology, as it combines the sleek styling of the Flyknit Racer, with a molded sole that has become common in many high-fashion runners. Set to drop March 26th at 10 AM for $190.
Air Max 1 “Atmos”
Last year during this time, the “Atmos” colorway was voted best Air Max 1 by a vote done by Nike. Since then, rumors have swirled of the famed elephant-print version returning this year, but now it’s official. Details on time and price have remained scarce, but expect the release to be limited on Air Max Day, March 26.
Air Max 1 Ultra 2.0
In a true display of Nike’s innovative mindset, they’ve redesigned the original Air Max 1 with premium material and high-quality foam to create one the lightest AM models ever. The pair feature “3.26” insignia on the tongue, honoring the day that changed footwear as we know it.
Air Max LD-Zero “Wolf Grey”
This silhouette, created by Fragment’s Hiroshi Fujiwara for Air Max Day 2016 works with Air unit influences introduced by 2006’s Air Max 360 combined with a clean upper. This culminates in the creation of a classic silhouette with modern cushioning. Expected to land at retailers on Air Max Day. No price details as of yet.
Air Max 1 “Master”
The proverbial guest of honor for this year’s Air Max Day, without question, is the Air Max 1. In honor of 30 years of evolution and collaboration with some huge design houses on the model, Nike presents the “Master.” The colorway plays off a “What the…” aesthetic, utilizing material from some of the most famous designs, like the “Safari” and “Animal” packs, and even has an embroidered small check on the toe region, a feature popular among Air Max fanatics. A “Friends and Family” version of the shoe has also surfaced and features a white upper and midsole.
Nike’s “Month of Air” seems like it will be quite the treat for Nike fans and sneaker aficionados alike. Leave us a comment and let us know your favorite pairs from the collection. For official images from Nike, visit here. We will have more information on the March 26 releases as they develop.
