Nike Air Max – Simply Iconic

Scientifically Comfortable

When Frank Rudy, former NASA aeronautical engineer, brought Nike the idea of putting air in their shoes, it quickly turned out to be a true revolution in the footwear industry. 

Nike Air technology consists of pressurized air inside a tough yet flexible bag and provides more flexibility and spring without jeopardizing structure. The Air-Sole units conserve their given form with elasticity, lower impact, and keep the shoe snug and lightweight. Featured for the first time in the Air Tailwind model in 1978, this groundbreaking cushioning makes Nike Air shoes perfect for running.

Style is in the Air

A decade later, Nike dropped one of today's favorites: the very first Nike Air Max. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, Nike Air Max 1 was the first sneaker to make its Air technology visible. But after this one, the Air Max 90 made its way to the street as a new icon. Packed with extra air in the heel and increased with a technical design featuring variable-width forefoot eyelets, this shoe brought a fresh style to the sneaker's game.

As the Air technology kept evolving with outstanding designs, Nike introduced the new Air Max 95 in 1995. First launched in a grey/neon colorway, the 95 was the first Air Max to show visible air in the forefoot as well as the heel. Designed by Sergio Lozano, the 95 was also the first to feature a black midsole, in contrast to the white midsole of its predecessors. Lozano’s design had a smaller Swoosh compared to the prominently placed logos on previous Air Max trainers.

It's only in 1998 that Nike dropped one of the most head-turning looks ever, the Air Max Plus. Commonly known as Nike TN, this sneaker was designed by Sean McDowell in Florida. Inspired by gradient sunset colors of the beach, palm trees, and whale’s tails, the designer sketched a model that would ironically prove most popular in gloomy London. After joining Nike, McDowell was asked to create a shoe exclusively for Foot Locker. The designer and Nike wanted to test kids’ reactions to the model. They put the new shoe on the shelf at a Foot Locker store right when the kids were getting out of school... and watched. The result was loud and clear: Nike TN was a hit.

Since then, the Air Max franchise never stopped evolving and gaining popularity. But in 2017, Nike dropped one of today's most commercially successful Air Max shoes, the VaporMax. Highly technical, the VaporMax is the first Air Max to feature no foam or rubber in the midsole and outsole. The upper is directly merged to the air bag, giving the shoe a feel and fit like no other.

Recrafted for The Future

As climate change is affecting our home planet, the fashion industry, especially in footwear, is becoming more and more conscious about its carbon footprint. To move toward a more sustainable tomorrow, Nike is guiding the future of green design by creating products that last longer and choosing materials with a reduced impact. The most recent Air Max drops like the Tuned 1 Essential Recycled Felt, the Air Max 90 Terrascape, the Nike Air Max Dawn, the Air Max Plus Terrascape, and more... are made with at least 20% recycled material by weight and using speckles in the rubber outsole from Nike Grind, which is recycled waste from the footwear manufacturing process. Learn more about how Nike is significantly reducing its emissions here.

At Foot Locker, we are thrilled to offer you a wide range of Nike Air Max sneakers. Stand out in the most comfortable and fashionable shoes for men, women, and kids.