Happy Air Max Day! As a sneakHER lover, today is one of our favorite sneaker holidays to celebrate. You can never go wrong with an Air Max. Each one gives a different look and feel, and each has a significant story that changed the world of sneakers to what it is today. This year, we’re celebrating 38 years of Air Max and Nike has begun a new era of the shoe with the release of the new Air Max Dn8 earlier this month.

The Air Max Dn8 advances the innovation of Nike’s Dynamic Air technology over two Air units and eight tubes that create a sustained, pressurized flow from the heel to the forefoot, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with Air. With this release and Air Max Day, we took a moment to reminisce and converse on our favorite releases, the OG’s that everyone loves, and some that were more on the controversial side. Take a look below to see our Top 8 Iconic Nike Air Max Sneakers we believe everyone needs in their collection.

Air Max 1 — Where it all began.

Renowned designer, Tinker Hatfield, knew the risk it would be to come up with such a disruptive design to expose the Air-cushioned sole. The inspiration came from the Centre Georges Pompiduo building in Paris where its functional and structural elements are exposed for all to see. This building was the lightbulb and motivation to remove part of the midsole in the Air Max so you would actually see it. The Air Max 1 was released March 26, 1987 as part of the Air Pack that included the Air Trainer 1, Air Sock, Air Revolution, and Air Safari. No one could have predicted the impact this shoe would have on the culture and the brand itself.

Air Max 90 White/Black

One could argue that these are the flyest in the Air Max family. The Air Max 90 hit the culture by storm. It was originally called the “Air Max III” until 2000 when it was reissued and took its name from its release year. The shoe was intended for sports runners, but quickly became a popular choice for sports and fashion.

Air Max 93 “Menthol”

The original Air Max 270. The Air Max 93 was the first sneaker to use a 3D-shaped air sole unit and got its name because of the heel being exposed for 270 degrees. This elevated the the Air Max series and gave customers more comfort on the heel with a cool new feature of a colored air unit.

Air Max 95 “Neon”

Now entering the design chat is Sergio Lozano. With the encouragement of the Nike Running Design Team, Lozano took a risk with his designs to present something the world hadn’t seen before. However, some people were not a fan of this design, mainly because it had little to no Swoosh branding on the shoe. Other concerns, challenges, and production-related issues would later come up. The silhouette had to undergo a lot of updates because of its first-ever visible forefoot Air bubble as well, but went on to being one of the most praised and beloved sneakers in the family.

Air Max 97 “Silver Bullet”

Next to enter the design chat is Christian Tresser. From his love of mountain bikes and their metal components mixed with the look of ripples being created when water drops into a pond, the Silver Bullet was born. Nike, again, moves the needle on its innovation by creating a full-length visible Air unit for the shoe. The metallic silver colorway and reflective 3M essentially made the shoe into what it is today, making it the most iconic Air Max 97. Its international popularity also gave it a push with the help of European sneaker fans who created a huge impact around the shoe as well.

Air Max 1/97 “Sean Wotherspoon”

In 2017, Nike invited 12 creatives to design a shoe that would be released for Air Max Day 2018, and what would essentially begin the next era of Nike Air. The winner of the competition was artist, designer and sneaker collector, Sean Wotherspoon. He combined the Air Max 97 upper with an Air max 1 outsole and midsole, and added a multicolored corduroy colorway that was inspired by vintage Nike hats, windbreakers, and vintage t-shirts. The silhouette also includes a special touch with the Swoosh smiley face inside of the shoe smiling back at you. This shoe is by far one of the most creative designs in the Air Max family and should be a staple in your collection.

Air Max 90 "Bacon"

This colorway was definitely in everyone’s conversation when it hit the internet. The Air Max 90 “Bacon” was a 2004 collaboration with Dave’s Quality Meat, and was a highly coveted release. The colorway is intended to mimic the look of raw bacon with its off-white leather base, red overlays, brown accents, and a pink leather Swoosh. The campaign was marketed perfectly after Dave Ortiz’s legendary NYC sneaker boutique located in the Meat Packing District, where they packaged sneakers as if they were actual pieces of meat. We love storytelling behind a sneaker campaign, and this release is one you have to have.

Air Max 270

Developed for style and comfort in 2018, the Air Max 270 was designed to solely be a lifestyle shoe and support your everyday life. Like the Air Max 93 and 180 designs, Creative Director of the Swoosh Brand, Dylan Raasch, included the 270 degrees of Air and a knit fabric on the upper to keep your foot cool throughout your day. Nike released multiple lifestyle-only sneakers before, but this silhouette was the first air unit to not be for running.

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