Air Max Day is just around the corner, and, like every year, it’s good to come prepared. In this article, you’ll find a ranking of the best sneakers released on Air Max Day, so you can anticipate and be ready for the new hottest release coming out this year.
10. Nike Air Max 97 Shanghai Kaleidoscope – Air Max Day 2019
Part of the On Air project, a contest similar to the one won by Sean Wotherspoon two years earlier, the Nike Air Max 97 Shanghai Kaleidoscope, is announced on Air Max Day as one of the winning shoes, however, it will only be available in stores in early April. For this shoe, the Chinese designer, Cash Ru, was inspired by clouds, creating a delicate and dreamy shape in shades of light blue with only the contrasting red swoosh. The shoe to date is the most desired On Air project shoe.
9. Nike Air Max 1 CLOT Kiss of Death – Air Max Day 2021
Decades after Tinker Hatfield’s challenge with the Air Max 1, Clot founder Edison Chen also chooses to expose other parts in his Nike Air Max 1 CLOT Kiss of Death (2021), namely the foot. In fact, the toe box is constructed in transparent plastic so that the insoles, printed with a map of traditional foot pressure points, can be seen. The shoe, initially released in 2006, comes out, similarly to the Bacon, in 2021, with the details unchanged from the original, except for more ventilation on the toe box and new details on the heel. Definitely a nice collector’s item.
8. Nike Air Max 90 NRG Bacon – Air Max Day 2021
The Nike Air Max 90 NRG Bacon returns in 2021 on Air Max Day, with an OG version as in 2004. The shoe was made in collaboration with David Ortiz, the founder of Dave’s Quality Meat. The shoe’s colours and materials are reminiscent of bacon: brown, pink, burgundy red and off-white, suede, grained leather and mesh. We mention it precisely because it is a very successful design and especially because it is rare for Nike to put past collaborations back on the market. This time, Nike listened to its community.
7. Nike Air VaporMax Pure Platinum – Air Max Day 2017
In the 2017 edition of Air Max Day, Nike launched a collection of no less than seven sneakers, of which the trump card was precisely the Nike Air VaporMax Pure Platinum. Probably the Air’s first technological advancement in years, the sneaker brought air to the sole’s full-length, changing everything for the line. Cleverly, Nike fuelled the hype with a collaboration with CDG that was released and sold out months earlier. The shoe was sent into space, projected on the Centre Pompidou, the place that inspired the visible Air, and even a block party with Travis Scott to celebrate its release.
6. Nike Air Max LD-Zero Hiroshi Fujiwara – Air Max Day 2016
This is a real jewel, the Nike Air Max LD-Zero Hiroshi Fujiwara, released in 2016 and part of Nike’s now defunct HTM line, created in 2002 by Hiroshi Fujiwara, Tinker Hatfield and Mark Parker. For Air Max Day 2016, each member designed a special edition Air Max, creating designs that cast a glimpse into the future. Hiroshi Fujiwara transformed the Nike LD-1000 into the HTM Air Max LD-Zero H, incorporating a full-length Air Max sole on the lower part.
5. Nike Air Max 93 Menthol – Air Max Day 2018
In 2018, another great sneaker from the past comes out again, the Nike Air Max 93 Menthol (2018) and wins a place on this ranking because it’s a must-have for every Air Max collector. The shoe is launched with all the same features as the one released in 2014, but with a reduced Air unit compared to the original. The upper, however, retains all the details that make it a great piece to have in your collection, including the mix of leather, mesh, and neoprene and the contrasting colours of white, black, and turquoise that, for the first time, also colours the inside of the Air unit.
4. Nike Air Max 1 Air Max Day 3.26 – Air Max Day 2014
Exactly 27 years after the release of the first Air Max 1 in 1987, Nike decided to bring out a reproduction of the OG Anniversary Red colourway, but with an extra twist given by the Volt sole and the 3.26 inscription present on the tongue. Instead of a box, Nike delivered some shoes in a huge bubble pack, as documented by Jacques Slade in an early video. Beyond the product, Nike held events in key cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Shanghai, with the latter hosting a huge commemorative sneaker box.
3. Nike Air Max 1/97 Sean Wotherspoon – Air Max Day 2018
This pair doesn’t need an introduction. The Nike Air Max 1/97 Sean Wotherspoon is definitely one of the best-ever Air Max Day releases, and one that has fundamentally changed the sneaker market. The story of this design began back in 2017 when Sean Wotherspoon, co-founder of Round Two, won “Vote Forward,” a contest whereby the winner would see their shoe produced during the next Air Max Day. The design, colours, materials, and look of the shoe are all inspired by Sean Wotherspoon’s passion for vintage Nike hats and clothing. The passion and commitment put into this sneaker made it the ultimate grail for many sneakerheads.
2. Nike Air Max 1 atmos Elephant – Air Max Day 2017
In second place was another pair from the same year because it is undeniable – 2017 was probably one of the most successful Air Max Day editions to date. The Nike Air Max 1 atmos Elephant (2017) was the winner of the voting held during the previous edition in 2016 and was chosen to be one of the headline releases for the following year. The shoe, born from a collaboration with the famous Japanese retailer Atmos, features white and grey colour blocks to enhance the swoosh and turquoise details.
1. Nike Air Max Anniversary Red – Air Max Day 2017
If March 26 had already meant great things in the past, then 2017 was even more special. There were great comebacks, new releases, and beautiful designs all around. The most anticipated return for collectors was the Air Max 1, re-released in the OG Univeristy Red colourway for its 30th anniversary. Given its history, the #1 position speaks for itself.
