M Meghan Boehm

Air Max Evolution

May 10, 2018
(Source: Sole Collector)

First released in 1987, Nike Air Max has evolved, with many reissues over the last thirty years. Known for the large air cushion in the heel that can be seen in the midsole, the Air Max has taken the original design in a number of different directions over the years.

(Source: Nike.com)

Many of the latest reissues feature the Air Max 97 design that was released in 1997. Inspired by high speed, Japanese bullet trains, the Air Max 97 features waving lines that run around the toe, tongue and heel. The lines stack colors that make it easy to create a variety of patterns.

(Air Max 97 London Summer of Love by Jasmine Lasode. Source: Hypebeast)

In March for 2018 Air Max day Nike held ON AIR design workshops in six cities across the world. Nike voters can vote for their favorites in each city and the winners will be put into production.

(Air Max 95 Cultural City Tokyo! by WOOD. Source: Hypebeast)

Many of the designs draw inspiration from the city they come from. Influences include everything from delis, trains and anime. Designers in the ON AIR contest aren't the only ones creating interesting in takes on the Air Max.

(Source: @mache275)

Customizer @mache275 created a custom "Eclipse" version of the Sean Wotherspoon by rearranging the colors found in the original.

(Source: @davidgotkicks)

The Air Max 97 design, featuring light yellow, bright pink and dark green, can even find its way to other styles. This Nike Cortez and Air Max mash-up turns into "Air Max Cortez 97" by @davidgotkicks.

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