In the year we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Air Max 1, here are my favourite Nike Air Max sneakers of 2022.
Air Max 1 Obsidian Varsity (W)
This newly released women’s model is a perfect mix of simplicity and originality. Featuring dark blue and green tones, a mini-Swoosh on the side, a gum sole, and an embossed Nike logo on the heel. And let’s not overlook the suede, leather, and mesh combo that completes the upper.
Air Max BW Light Stone
The Air Max BW celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021, with releases spread out over the past 2 years, including the Light Stone colourway. Its natural tones are a reference to the model’s underground origins, linked to street culture, fashion, and music while upholding the pioneering vision of sneaker culture. If you love pastel colours, this model is for you.
Air Max 1 SH Skunk
If you know, you know. This release is inspired by the famous Nike Dunk SB High Skunk 420 and features the same green and purple tones, complemented by beige suede panels and the Nike Air Max logo on the heel tab.
Air Max 1 Tour Yellow (W)
This year, SNKRS Day treated us to the Air Max 1 Tour Yellow, a women’s exclusive with premium tumbled leather overlays. Its white mesh base, light grey and yellow overlays, and unique Air Max Day logo on the heel make it one of this year’s must-haves.
Air Max Scorpion Lemon Wash
The future of Air Max lies in this new model. Inspired by the VaporMax, the Scropian’s flyknit upper is complemented with an imposing 360° sole that comes equipped with an innovative version of the Swoosh’s flagship Air technology.
Air Max 1 Premium Blueprint
Air Max Day 2022 was also a hit when it came to special releases, including this North American exclusive. The concept? The global impact of Air Max 1, which is represented by a grid pattern on the Swoosh and a globe on the heel tab. Its white, light grey, and blue design fulfils both the “Blueprint” theme and the architectural blueprints of this classic silhouette.
Air Max 1 x Kasina Won-Ang Grey
“Made To Be Together” is the slogan of this collaborative project between the Swoosh and the South Korean store, Kasina. The inspiration for this unprecedented team-up is the “won-ang”, or mandarin duck, a symbol of unity and love. There’s also an embroidered Won-Ang on the heel, a second affixed to the insole and 2 ducks that meet under the outsole.
Air Max 95 N7
This year, the Nike N7 collection is inspired by berry tones and the multicoloured stripes on the ribbon skirts of the Amerindian and Indigenous communities. Among the items in the range, the Air Max 95 stands out from the rest, mainly due to the perfect match between the silhouette and colourway, and the storytelling behind its design, which is illustrated on a special box.
Air Max 1 x Travis Scott Cactus Jack Baroque Brown
Of course, Travis Scott collabs end up on every sneaker list. This Air Max 1 Cactus Jack is inspired by the 1998 Nike ACG Pocket Knife and features a brown colourway accented with beige and bright red. The model is, of course, topped off with the La Flame signature reverse Swoosh.
Air Max 1 Patta Waves Dark Russet
Like the Travis Scott collabs, the sneaker community welcomed the Patta x Air Max 1 Waves as soon as the Monarch colourway was released in October 2021. For this 2022 list, I decided to include the Dark Russet version, which features a metallic silver nylon base and shiny premium leather overlays. Details like the mini-Swoosh on the side, the Patta logo on the tongue, and the white midsole make this another unmissable release from Patta.
Air Max 97 OG Metallic Silver
Nike rereleased one of its iconic models, the Air Max 97, in its OG Metallic Silver colourway in November. What more can I say about a silhouette that’s enjoyed undeniable success in Europe since its initial release? Its design, inspired by Japanese high-speed trains, has always been welcomed by the sneaker community, year after year, and that’s not about to change anytime soon.
Air Max 1 Crepe Hemp
Despite the modifications made to the original silhouette, this rerelease of the 2004 “Crepe Hemp” still makes the top 5 of best Air Max releases of 2022. The hemp fabric, the mint green Swoosh, the suede side reinforcement, and the “crêpe” texture of the outsole create a great combo for a winning style.
Air Max 1 Premium Wabi-Sabi (W)
Back to Air Max Day 2022 and this exclusive Asia-Pacific and Latin America release. The “Wabi-Sabi” is inspired by a Japanese philosophy that values the “beauty of imperfection.” You can see this in its design which is full of quality details like the visible white stitching on each panel, the cracked effect on the midsole, the interchangeable tabs on the tongue, and the Swoosh smiley face on the heel.
Air Max Penny 1 Orlando
As a basketball fan, I have to include the Air Max 1 Penny Orlando, which is (finally) making its big comeback since its last rerelease in 2011. This classic silhouette from Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, the former Orlando Magic prodigy, brings the famous Golden Era of basketball sneakers to the fore for the aficionados out there.
Patta x Air Max 1 Waves White
Last but not least: the Patta x Air Max 1 Patta Waves White is clearly one of this year’s most successful models. Inspired by the African proverb “Each One Teach One”, its silhouette features a grey mesh base, premium white overlays, a cream midsole, and embroidered Nike branding on the side and back of each sneaker. After the success of the “Monarch” in 2021, Patta continues to take over the world of sneakers in 2022!
