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Nike Air Max is a shoe by the company Nike that was introduced in 1987 as the first example of Air Max-branded technologies. The Nike Air Max shoe uses a large air cushioning unit which is visible at the side of the midsole in most models. Especially sought after models include the 1987 (Air Max I), 1990 (Air Max III), 1991 (Air 180), 1993, 1995, 1997, and to an extent, 2003. The 1993 model was the first to have the fully visible heel Air unit that was visible in the back as well as on the sides, and the 1995 model was the first to feature visible forefoot Air. The 1997 model was the first to include a full length Air bag.
The Beatles' song "Revolution" was used in a television commercial to promote the shoe. It was the first and only time that a song performed by the Beatles was used in a TV ad.
The shoes have always been high tech for their time so runners have always worn them, but they are equally valuable as a casual shoe. They are generally fairly comfortable and the designs and colors are very inspired in some cases. The 1995 model was extremely popular for a long time and saw many colorways introduced. Its popularity has waned but many people still love the shoe. Originally it was met with some skepticism due to its suede construction, high price tag and neon accent color. International collectors quickly came to love the shoe and eventually it became popular in the USA as well.
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Different types of Air Max cushioning include "Air Max2" which doesn't have the "holes" in the cushioning unit and is of high pressure, "Tube Air" which is visible in several small circles on the midsole of the shoe, "Total Air" which is basically just another word for full Air Max cushioning, "Tuned Air," which is a system of individual pods supposedly "tuned" to different areas of the foot. There was also "180 Air in the early 1990s which was visible through the bottom of the shoe (although smaller portions of Air units are visible through the bottom of many Air Max models) and another type of Air cushioning is the low profile and very responsive "Zoom Air."
Air Max cushioning has been used in shoes for almost all sports by now including basketball, cross training, golf, casual shoes, sandals, tennis, etc; however the "Nike Air Max" is always a running shoe. An example of a basketball shoe would be "Air Max Uptempo."
On the 21st January 2006 Nike launched the Air Max 360. A revolutionary shoe design that utilised 'Max Air' through out the shoes midsole. Traditionally, running shoes have used cushioning systems combined with foam midsoles. Foam midsoles generally last for about 500 miles before their shock absorbing properties deteriorate.
The use of '360' of air cushioning ensures the shoes longevity. This is the logical conclusion to the Air Max story.
Earlier today, we previewed a classic Nike Basketball sneaker, the Nike Air Flightposite II (2), and we now have our first look at some new colorways of a classic running sneaker. The Nike Air Max Triax ‘94 will be making a comeback in 2010 via four new styles. The first pair yields red base with black and white accents,while the second sneaker features a silver,black-white color scheme. The third variation hosts a simple black on white colorway, while the final pair yields a classic look via a white base with blue, black, and volt accents. The Nike Air Max Triax ‘94 LE is expected to release in the Spring of 2010.
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We saw a couple 2009 colorways of the Nike Air Total Max Uptempo in April, and we now have have a preview of the 2010 color schemes. The Air Total Max Uptempo is a classic Nike Basketball product most known for being the signature sneaker of Tim Duncan. The first pair yields a metallic silver upper with black accents, while the second style features a red leather upper with varsity red accents. Be on the lookout for both colorways of the Nike Air Total Max Uptempo in 2010.
