Some things will never change. Even if the sneaker scene is constantly evolving, and innovation and technology are what drive current trends, there will always be models that just don’t bow to seasonal whims. Sneakers that were created decades ago and have never been in doubt since. Sneakers like the Converse Chuck Taylor, Vans Old Skool, Adidas Superstar, or the Nike Air Max 1.
Created by mastermind Tinker Hatfield in 1987, the Nike Air Max 1 was the first sneaker with a visible Air Sole unit. What initially seemed like science fiction should be the cornerstone for a successful and, above all, long-lasting legacy. And this year has already seen a large number of new additions to the Air Max 1 line. Here are my five best Air Max 1 of 2022 so far.
The Best Air Max 1s of 2022 (So Far)
- Kasina x Nike Air Max 1 Won-Ang Orange
- Concepts x Nike Air Max 1 SP Far Out
- Travis Scott x Nike Air Max 1 Cactus Jack Baroque Brown
- Nike Air Max 1 Crepe Hemp (2022)
- Nike Air Max 1 Patta Waves White
5. Nike Air Max 1 Patta Waves White
We begin with the Air Max from the Amsterdam store Patta. As it happens, the Dutch and the Air Max 1 already share a productive history together. The store’s collaboration with the Dutch artist Piet Parra is to this day considered the Holy Grail par excellence, happily changing hands for over £5,000. Instead of resting on their laurels, however, the American-Dutch duo continues to issue new releases of the Air Max 1.
A new colourway awaits us this year in Patta’s “Waves” series. As with its predecessors, the mudguard features a wave pattern, while the Patta logo reigns supreme on the tongue and insole. This collaboration is rounded off with a special box that includes wrapping paper designed by Patta.
4. Nike Air Max 1 Crepe Hemp (2022)
If you have a whole arsenal of grails slumbering in your archive, you can throw retro models around without hesitation. Colourways like Animal or Safari were reissued years later for fans who missed out on the initial release. So Nike fans welcomed news of further releases in the Crepe series, which first appeared in 2004. However, instead of a retro that copies its original 1:1, Nike decided to release a sequel this year.
With the new Nike Air Max 1 Crepe Hemp, fans get many elements that were already an integral part of the series 18 years ago. These include an upper made of hemp and canvas, and a crepe sole with its very own profile. In contrast to the OG models, fans can look forward to a new colourway that dresses the sneaker in different shades of brown and rounds it off with a light blue Swoosh. A rubber sole in combination with a clean white midsole does the rest. 
3. Nike Air Max 1 Cactus Jack Baroque Brown
Following the disaster at the Astroworld Festival, which caused the deaths of numerous fans, Travis Scott is coming back from a short break, at least in fashion terms. Scott’s collaborations with Hiroshi Fujiwara and Dior under his “Cactus Jack” brand all speak the Houston rapper’s clear design language and come dressed in pleasant shades of brown throughout. Scott has returned to his collaboration with Nike several times this year too. And our favourite is quite clear: the Nike Air Max 1 Cactus Jack Baroque Brown.
The second release of the Air Max 1 by Travis Scott could hardly be more functional. You can tell that the sneaker, like other collaborative projects by “La Flame,” clearly references hiking and the outdoors. This Air Max 1 is no different, appearing in various shades of brown, a robust upper made of leather, suede and mesh, and featuring an additional strap on the laces. This should give the foot more stability and in addition to the inverted Swoosh and special branding on the tongue, completes the list of highlights. If you missed out on the release back in May, you can still get the Travis Scott x Nike Air Max 1 Cactus Jack Baroque Brown here.
2. Nike Air Max 1 SP Concepts Far Out
Netflix recently released Woodstock 99, a documentary about the failure of the successor to the legendary music festival held in Bethel, New York. With their Air Max 1 SP Far Out, however, Concepts from Boston reference the original 1969 festival directly, while presenting the third part of their Air Max 1 series. As with its two predecessors, this sneaker is also colourful, experimental and detailed.
The upper of the Air Max 1 SP Far Out features bandana and batik patterns, which are supposed to be reminiscent of the colourful shirts worn by Woodstock attendees. In terms of material, Boston and Oregon opted for denim, which makes the sneaker extremely robust and gives the entire upper an interesting feel. A white midsole and rubber outsole add a little grounding to the wild upper.
1. Nike Air Max 1 Kasina Won-Ang Orange
In my opinion, the pole position for the best Air Max 1 sneaker of 2022 goes to South Korea. In the heart of Seoul, the Kasina store has provided the sneaker community with numerous collaborations over the years. The retailer has created sneakers with Converse, New Balance, Adidas and, of course, Nike. After its first project for the Swoosh—resulting in two Dunk colourways—the Korean store has tried to breathe new life into the Nike Air Max 1. The result speaks for itself and continues the Koreans’ winning streak.
Under the motto “Made to be Together,” the sneaker is inspired by the Korean custom of presenting newlyweds with Won-Ang ducks (Won-Ang stands for everlasting love). The sneaker’s upper features two ducks hugging each other—as embroidery on the heel and as a printed graphic on the insole. The colourway pays homage to traditional Korean colours and materials, like pony hair textures and soft suede. Dark green and blue tones are also reminiscent of ducks’ natural habitat. My favourite detail is the unique Swoosh, complemented with a wooden deubré and a Won-Ang duck keychain add-on. Both colourways of this year’s most beautiful Air Max 1 can be found here in all sizes.
