The Hottest Air Max Collabs

Everyone has their favourite Air Max silhouette. For a lot of people it feels like the Air Max 1 is their pick right now, which is good timing considering the classic silhouette celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. I’ve got a soft spot for the 1’s (especially the Parra AM1 from 2018), but also for the right pair of 95’s. But what are the hottest Air Max collabs for you?

Maybe you’re just getting into the Air Max family, or maybe you’re hunting a hot new pair to flex in 2022. The good news is we’ve put together a list of some certified bangers from the last few years – some hyped releases but also a few sleepers that you can cop for the low. Let’s get into our take on the hottest Air Max collabs.

Nike Air Max Plus atmos White Hyper Jade

The Nike Air Max Plus – or as Australians know them – TNs. The TN is the symbol of a cultural movement for a large community of young Australian men and women, and when Japanese heavyweights atmos bless it with their colour palette it becomes a must cop. 

Atmos have knocked out some serious bangers over the years, and this pair of TNs references 2017’s atmos Elephant Air Max 1’s with the jade swoosh. Hyper Jade hits on the forefoot cage, swoosh and eyelets set these off with an otherwise clean white upper and black heel cage. Whether you’re waiting for a train or just chillin’ at the station, these TNs go hard.

Nike Air Max 90 OFF-WHITE Desert Ore

‘Oh cool, you put shoes worth way over $1,000 in a guide of the hottest Air Max collabs, that must have been hard for you to choose’. Well, yeah. Guilty. I did. But you know what? These are sick. One of the best Air Max releases ever. And it’s not necessarily even the Virgil-ification of them like it is with other Off White collabs. The desert ore colourway is subdued but not dull, and it’s offset by a swoosh in bright mango with a little pop of hyper jade for good measure. 

We also see a fuller length swoosh than we usually see on Air Max 90’s, an extended tongue and a semi de-coupled heel patch. I have to be honest, I’ve never seen someone wear these badly. You know sometimes you see someone wearing bad sweatpants with some hype sneakers and it just doesn’t work? I haven’t seen that with these – everyone who rocks the Nike Air Max 90 Off-White Desert Ore either knows what they’re doing, or the shoe just takes over and makes any fit a winner.

Nike Air Max 97/BW Skepta

The Nike Air Max 97 BW Skepta’s are a pair that will keep your collection grimey in a good way. These special Air Max 97s were made in collaboration with UK-based rapper Skepta, and are an Air Max hybrid, featuring the upper of the BW sitting atop the tooling from the Air Max 97. These feature a clean summit white, hyper cobalt, and white colourway, with red accents on the right shoe and blue on the left. They were released in May of 2018, where they were available at select Nike Sportswear retailers worldwide. If you want to keep your sneaker collection SHUTDOWN, place a bid on these Skeptas today. Truss mi.

Nike Air Max 97 Shanghai Kaleidoscope

Remember this drop from 2019? It was part of a pack Nike released called ‘On Air’ where artists submitted designs based on the cities they lived in. The Shanghai Kaleidoscope was designed by Cash Ru, who says the inspiration for his design comes from the interaction of clouds and skyscrapers in Pudong. 

The shoe features an incredible layered upper comprising of almost a dozen mesh overlays, which removes some of the strict panelling we’re used to on Air Max 97’s and gives the shoe a more cloud-like, almost shapeless feel. The back of the shoe features multiple heel tabs as well, continuing the layered approach we see throughout the upper. All this goodness sits on a crisp white midsole, while red accents on the swooshes and eyelets complete the look.

Nike Air Max 270 React ENG Travis Scott Cactus Trails

They might not be as popular as some of Travis’ Jordan collaborations, but they’re a great sneaker in their own way, and Mr. Scott deserves extra kudos for tackling a new silhouette like the Air Max 270 React ENG. 

This Air Max 270 consists of a mesh upper with tumbled leather and suede overlays, which really add a touch of luxury that you can really only appreciate when holding the shoes. A gold midsole, green tongue with attached lace locks, and Cactus Jack branding on the heel tabs completes the design. The other thing that’s worth remembering is the midsole slab you’re sitting on here – huge air unit in the heel, and the goodness of React foam in the mid and forefoot. If you want to flex but find the old silhouettes can’t hang for a full day on your feet, these are the sneakers for you.

Nike Air Max 1 CLOT Kiss of Death Solar Red

I don’t think you saw these coming on this list, did you? I think CLOT rarely miss with their collabs, and this Air Max 1 flew under the radar when it dropped mid way through 2021.

In 2007, CLOT designed a friends and family exclusive Air Max 1 for Kanye West to rock during his “Touch the Sky” tour. Only four pairs were ever created, making them effectively impossible to obtain. 14 years later, the Hong Kong-based retailer borrowed key elements from the original design to create the Nike Air Max 1 CLOT KOD Solar Red.

The Nike Air Max 1 CLOT Solar Red features a Solar Red, University Red, and Cool Grey colour scheme, and is constructed primarily of leather and mesh. From there, a thin no-liner collar, CLOT embroidery on the heel, and a semi-translucent outsole adds the finishing touches.

The best part? Compared to the premiums we usually see for big collabs, these are going for great prices. If 2022 is the year of the Air Max 1 like we think it’s going to be, it’s a good idea to have some heat stashed.