WHAT IS NIKE AIR MAX? AND HOW CAN YOU RECOGNIZE THEM?
- 6 min read
- 02/23/2023
Nike's brand has many branches — Jordan, Nike SB, and so on — but what is Nike Air Max, and how can you recognize Air Max?
You will get the answer here, in this blog post
Air Max definition
Most major sneaker brands work on finding new ways to create sneakers.
For example, Adidas has their Boost sole and the newer material AdiFOM. It's all textile, material, and production techniques branded for the consumer, so the technology isn't copied to other brands' sneakers.
So what is Air Max?
It is a special mid-sole.
And what does that mean?
Well, a mid-sole is the middle part of the sneaker, as you can see in the illustration below, and it's the part of the shoe you can recognize the Nike Air Max model by.
But what makes this mid-sole so special?
Maybe you can already see it in the picture? A Nike Air Max shoe is equipped with a pocket made of urethane — a soft and flexible plastic material — filled with air, which makes the shoe incredibly comfortable and shock-absorbing to wear.
Besides being an incredibly comfortable feature on a pair of popular Nikes that were already cool, the sole gives a seriously flashy detail.
Since the pocket is filled with air, you can see right through the shoe — well, that's just cool. There's a very good reason for the name Air Max — it's literally a sole with air in it. Think about that next time you wear your Air Max.
The story behind the popular models
The whole Nike concept around air pockets in shoes dates back to 1977, when Frank Rudy — an engineer from NASA — pitched the idea to Nike.
However, the world first saw the finished Air Max shoe in 1987. The Air Max model that first saw the light of day was the iconic Air Max 1.
It was Tinker Hatfield, who originally designed stores for Nike, who came up with the idea after a trip to Paris. Hatfield had a background in architecture, and after seeing the French architecture, he came up with the idea to show the shoe's interior on the outside.
Thus, the idea for Air Max 1 was born.
We love the very first model for its simplicity. Classic design — not too flashy. But we also love the ones we will show you now. We actually love them just as much.
We don't discriminate among our babies 😍
The most popular Air Max models
There are a sea of Air Max models and we think almost all of them are cool.
However, we have a clear preference for these.
Air Max 270
One of the big brand's sneakers that really stands out for us is the Air Max 270.
The model was first released in 2018, making it a newer addition to the large Air Max family tree.
What makes this pair of Nikes special is undoubtedly its “airbag” — instead of showing the Air Max pocket in the middle of the sole, you can see a huge air pocket on the heel, giving a completely unique look.
The shoe is futuristic, and if you really want people to look when you wear your Air Max, you might have found the right sneaker.
Air Max 97
This sneaker is a huge new classic — which is actually strange, since it first came out in 1997
When the Air Max 97 was re-released in 2017 — on the shoe's 20th anniversary — sneakerheads seriously went bananas, partly because of the high quality.
You might even remember the iconic “Silver Bullet” model, which was one of the first releases from that batch (One of the most iconic sneakers to this day).
The model has risen again to stay, and at Sneakerzone we have an insanely cool stock of rare and sold-out models from this collection.
Here are a few of our favorite 97s.
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Sprung Iron Grey - A model with an extra touch of humor and personal style.
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Atlantic Blue Voltage Yellow - A model that lifts an outfit with an electric vibe.
- Iridescent White - Shoes for confirmation? I think so, with a model as sleek as this one.
Air Max 1
The shoe was released in 1989 and is still one of the most popular models with Air Max technology.
Because the shoe has such a classic design, it's easy to modify and play with it. The superstar Travis Scott has done just that here.
The Nike Air Max model is an unavoidable part of Nike's history.
A timeless shoe that keeps sticking around among some of the most popular shoes you can get your hands on.
And with good reason.Here are some more of our favorites.
- Concepts Heavy - This model is adventurous and will definitely make you take a second look. Check out all the cool patterns and details!
- Obsidian - What can I say? This shoe wins every time.
- Patta Monarch - A model where the details have really been played with. Just look at the wavy pattern made instead of the classic design. A monster-cool detail, if you ask me.
How do I take care of my Nike Air Max?
First of all, you can use several different products from the moment you start wearing your Air Max.
Shoe trees - Believe it or not, shoes are actually made to be on a foot. When you wear your shoe, you stretch the fabric to the shape it is made for. When you take it off, the fabric is still stretched, and eventually, your shoe ends up looking tired. Creases appear and the shoe looks more worn.
A shoe tree helps with exactly this. When you don't use your shoe, you put the shoe tree inside. It keeps your Nike sneakers' shape and ensures they stay fresh and usable longer.
A bonus is that shoe trees help with the climate inside your sneakers. They simply help air them out after use.
Sneaker Shields - Are you tired of creases on your new shoes? Check this out.
With sneaker shields, you keep creases away, as easy as that. You put them inside your sneaker, as far forward as possible, and from there the product does its job. It keeps your sneakers tight for much longer.
Crep Protect - If you care even a little about your sneakers, you know Crep. Crep Protect is a brand that makes protection and accessories for sneakers. They are probably best known for their spray, which keeps your sneakers clean, even if you choose to jump straight into the mud.
You can also use their Pills which you put in your sneakers if they have been wet and started to smell. Crep Pills ensure the climate inside your shoes recovers strongly and that bad odors are removed. Easy.
If you're interested in more knowledge about taking care of your shoes, read our blogs here.
Nike shoes at Sneakerzone
Sneakerzone sells rare sneakers, and of course, we have a large selection of Air Max in stock.
If you have questions or need help, please read our FAQ, or write to us at info@sneakerzone.dk
Thanks for reading along 🔥
