History of the Nike Air Max Line

With great innovation comes superior ideas, and the Nike Air Max line has never been shortcoming in this category.

Image Courtesy of Warren Jones via Unsplash Images 

From its groundbreaking Air Technology to its natural assimilation within street, sports and running culture, the Air Max collection has created its own lane of identity that sneaker buffs, lifestyle-goers or anyone in between could relate to.

Dedicating its lineage to a stream of eclectic colorways and moment-defying silhouettes, this Air Max Day, we are going to take a trip down memory lane, tuning into the life of the Air Max Line and its role in our sneaker rotations over the years. 

Introduction to Air:

Before Nike Swooshed every part of sneakerheads' wardrobes, the forthcoming years of the sportswear brand were pretty dire. 1977 cued a time of unprecedented challenges for the Beaverton brand; a lack of innovation, staff, and unpaid sneaker tariffs meant that they needed that ‘bright light bulb’ moment. 

Luckily enough for Nike, their beacon of light came in the shape of NASA engineer Marion Frank Rudy, who pitched the idea of using air bags in shoes to create the ultimate cushioning system. This process consisted of planting dense gases into small rubber membranes to create air bags that could be inserted into the midsole of sneakers. This would serve as a comfort point for athletes, with the technology alleviating the impact during sports activity.  

Image of Marion Frank Rudy

After receiving the green light from Nike’s co-founder Phil Knight, the manufacturing team started to undertake a range of performance testing. In this case, working from the ground up wasn’t as comforting as its design. The challenge was to find a suitable foam material that would be rigid and durable enough to withstand the weight of an air bag while being flexible enough to support brisk movement during periods of high-impact activity (such as jogging and sprinting). 

The Rise of Tailwind Runner (1978)

After a year of testing, Nike would debut the Tailwind Runner (1978) at the 1978 Honolulu Marathon, making this silhouette the first-ever sneaker to feature this one-of-kind Air Cushioning design that would become a go-to grail for athletes. After a plausible run on our tracks, the Tailwind Runner landed on mainstream shelves in 1979, boasting a $50 price tag (equivalent to $192 in 2025) - its exquisite offering (at the time) made it the first $50 shoe of the ‘70s. 

Nike Tailwind Runner image Courtesy of Nike

The Birth of the Air Max 1 (1987):

After a rather long hiatus - 8 years to be exact -  Nike was ready to set an all-new performance benchmark with the arrival of its visible Air masterpiece, known as the Air Max 1.

Image Courtesy of The Telegraph Website 

Spearheading this project was young Nike designer (at the time) Tinker Hatfield, who dreamt up a sneaker that would take creative nods from the inside-out design of the Center Pompidou in Paris, pairing its architectural muse with the first-ever visible Air midsole.

It lent its wearers a fully functional and flexible cushioning system that was not only cool in appearance but offered cloud-like comfort with each step. To this day, the sneaker plays a crucial role in streetwear culture, with Nike likening its design to a trailblazing span of colorways and sought-after collaborations.

Nike Walker Max (1988):

Support and durability were the hot topic of the Air Max line when the Walker first flew the Beaverton nest in 1988. Building on the foundations of the Air Max 1, this ‘walking’ shoe utilized the same cushioned tooling as the Air Jordan 3 and delivered a robust leather upper for additional support during daily wear.

Nike Walker Max image Courtesy of GOAT Website 

Nike Air Max Light (1989):

Nike Air Max Light image Courtesy of GOAT Website 

Nike ended the ‘80s on a light note with this silhouette ( AKA Nike Air Max II). Replacing its OG Polyurethane forefoot tooling with a two-piece phylon midsole, while airy mesh inserts were presented through the toe box and sides to deliver a more weightless feel to its wearer’s running performance 

Nike Air Max 90 (1990):

The new decade was upon us, which meant a new opportunity for the Air Max line to turn heads. Enter the Air Max 90 (Air Max III), striking the perfect balance between the Air Max 1 and the Air Max Light. It’s technical but also lifestyle-apt feel struck gold with casual wearers alike, with its first debut colorway ‘Infrared Red’ being its most revered and all-time favourite colorway of sneaker collectors.

Nike Air Max 180 (1991):

The Air Max 180 featured a 180-degree visible Air unit, giving it a bold look that set it apart from previous models. Its colorways, especially the purple and red, made it a favorite among athletes and sneakerheads.

Nike Air Max 93 (1993):

With its 270-degree visible Air unit and neoprene sock liner, the Air Max 93 combined performance with a futuristic design. Its cushioned comfort and sleek appearance made it a hit for runners and casual wearers.

Nike Air Max 95 (1995):

Designed by Sergio Lozano, the Air Max 95 introduced a human anatomy-inspired design with a dual-density midsole and visible Air units. Its 'Neon' colorway became iconic, securing the 95’s place in sneaker culture.

Nike Air Max 97 (1997):

The Air Max 97 featured a full-length visible Air unit and a sleek, nature-inspired design by Christian Tresser. Its ‘Silver Bullet’ colorway became synonymous with late ‘90s sneaker culture.

Nike Air Max Plus TN (1998):

The Air Max Plus 'TN', often known for its distinctive "Tuned Air" cushioning, combines style and performance with a unique wavy design. Its vibrant colorways and sleek silhouette made it a staple in both performance running and streetwear culture.

Nike Air Max 2003 (2003):

The Air Max 2003 offered a minimalistic, refined design while maintaining the classic Air Max cushioning. Its clean look marked a shift toward a more modern, versatile style.

Nike Air Max 360 (2006):

With a full-length Air unit, the Air Max 360 was the first to feature a completely Air-cushioned midsole. Its comfort and innovation made it a standout in both performance and lifestyle sneakers.

Nike Air Max 1 ‘87 (2017):

Celebrating 30 years of the Air Max line, the Air Max 1 ‘87 reintroduced the original silhouette with modern updates. It became a nostalgic favorite, honoring the legacy of Nike's first visible Air sneaker.

Nike Air Max 270 (2018):

The Air Max 270 features a large Air unit in the heel for maximum comfort, combining athletic performance with modern streetwear appeal. Its bold design and colorways made it an instant hit.

Nike Air Max 2090 (2020):

Inspired by the Air Max 90, the Air Max 2090 featured futuristic design elements and a larger visible Air unit. Its sleek profile and bold colorways helped it stand out in the evolving sneaker market.

Nike Air Max 2021 (2021):

The Air Max 2021 emphasized sustainability, featuring recycled materials while maintaining iconic Air Max comfort. Its modern design reflected Nike's focus on eco-friendly innovation.

Nike Air Max Scorpion (2021):

The Air Max Scorpion introduced a bold new look with a large, exaggerated Air unit for superior cushioning. Its futuristic design and high-performance features made it a unique addition to the Air Max family.

Nike Air Max DN (2024):

The Air Max DN merges bold, futuristic design with the signature Air Max cushioning. Featuring advanced materials and an eye-catching silhouette, it represents Nike's push toward a new era of sneaker innovation.