2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the iconic Nike Air Max 90 and would be no where today without the release of the Nike Air Max 90 Infrared colorway. The sneaker was first introduced in 1990 as the third addition to the Air Max line incorporating a visible air unit, but has been unofficially declared the Air Max 1s heir to air. Ever since the release of the Air Max 1 back in 1987, Nikeās visible air technology made waves around the world and was considered the future of running for its innovative design and functionality. The concept for the air bubble was inspired by Franceās Centre de Pompidou, a building that uses unconventional architecture, like odd geometric shapes and transparent facades. From this building, Tinker Hatfield, who is responsible for designing some of Michael Jordanās most legendary sneakers, crafted the air unit bubble, and the rest is history that spans over 3 decades.
Original Ads for the Nike Air Max 1
At the time, the Air Max 1 leveraged Nike as the go-to brand for all things running. And as people expected Nike to deliver on their promise to create groundbreaking footwear, expectations for the Air Max 1ās successor were fairly high.
Original Ads for Air Jordan 1, 2, and 3 Silhouettes
Jordans 1, 2, and 3 all featured new and exotic elements that were foreign to basketball wear. Materials like leather and elephant print transformed the athletic gym shoes into extremely lux products that demanded attention. It was Hatfieldās responsibility to do the same with the Air Max line; taking all of the necessary characteristics of a running shoe and making it sexy.
Taking cues from the previous Air Max 1 model and 1989ās Air Max Light (a shoe designed to be the true successor of the AM1), the Air Max 90 was born. The sneaker incorporated all the technical aspects needed for a successful running shoe; DuraMesh toe box for breathability and a bigger air bubble for comfort during impact. But the shoe integrated the flare needed to make it desirable, like synthetic leather and suede paneling on the upper. The angular shape of the sneaker alone evoked speed, making it appealing to runners that want to be faster. The Air Max 90 was the premier running sneaker to own in 1990.
The Original Nike Air Max 90 Infrared
30 years later, the Air Max 90 is still considered one of the best models to bear the Swoosh. It has surpassed its categorization as a running sneaker and has been adopted by sneakerheads as an icon in streetwear. Global admiration for the sneaker is documented by dozens of collaborations with international shops and entities, that have all applied their localized influences on the Air Max 90. From Dutch Boutique Pattaās āHomegrown Grassā to British MC Dizzie Rascalās āTongue Nā Cheekā, the Air Max 90 is a sneaker that has surpassed its Oregon origins.
On Feet: Air Max 90 ‘Dizzie Rascal’ (Photo by: Wonkycoma) + ‘Homegrown Grass’ (Photo by: Sneakeraddict)
But the Air Max 90 would not be where it is today in sneaker and streetwear culture without its debut colorway, the Nike Air Max 90 Infrared. The sneaker itself was a product of its environment. The culture of the 1990s was comprised of sharp shapes, extremely bright colors and, oddly enough, a jogging trend. Mix all of these factors together and you get the Nike Air Max 90 Infrared.Ā
The Air Max 90 ‘Infrared’ Retro From 2015
The colorway was introduced as āHyvent Orangeā when it first released and, with time, the sneaker adopted the colloquial āInfraredā moniker. The Nike Air Max 90 Infrared hit the ground running during its debut and has not slowed down since, with the colorway reissued in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2015. The sneaker has undergone a variety of shapes and adaptations, like 2013ās Lunar and 2014ās Flyknit Air Max 90s, all bearing the same bright infrared color.
Silhouette aside, the Infrared colorway alone is just as iconic. After seeing the success garnered by the Nike Air Max 90 Infrared, other running models following took on this eye-catching hue, as it was featured on the Air Structure in 1991 shortly after. It soon jumped from running shoes onto other sport models, as Tinker Hatfieldās sixth Michael Jordan sneaker, the Air Jordan 6, bore the color in the same year and is still loved by sneakerheads to this day, with the Swoosh retroing it four other times. Nike slapped the color scheme on to SB Dunks, Air Trainer 1s, and most recently, basketball superstar Lebron Jamesās 17th signature sneaker, keeping the colorway alive in the new decade.
Michael Jordan Wearing Air Jordan 6 ‘Infrared’
With Nikeās self-proclaimed Air Max Day around the corner on March 26th, we expect big things to come for the historic Nike Air Max 90 Infrared colorway. With Nike bringing back the silhouette in its original shape from its first 1990 release, fans of the model are eagerly waiting to see if the Swoosh gives them what they want.
