Next Sunday, 3/26, marks one of the most anticipated days of the year for Nike fans across the globe: Air Max Day. On March 26, 1987, the Tinker Hatfield designed Air Max 1 debuted and introduced the world to the now iconic visible air unit. Now, every year on this day Nike unleashes a slew of special Air Max releases to celebrate the birth of one of their most important innovations. This year is extra special, as it marks the 30th anniversary of the Air Max 1, and Nike is going all out. Here are a couple of the truly amazing offerings we will be carrying for this momentous occasion.
One of the greatest collabs in Nike history returns a week early with the release of the atmos x Nike Air Max 1 Premium "Elephant" on March 18th. Chosen from a plethora of "grail" Air Max 1 colorways during a fan vote to decide this year's Air Max Day retro release, the atmos "Elephant" (atmos designer Koji was inspired by a picture of an elephant taking a bath) uses Tinker's iconic concrete print from the Air Jordan 3 along the mudguard and collar, and hits of jade on the tongue, heel and swoosh to achieve the iconic look that created a sensation when it debuted in 2006 as part of the "Zoo Pack". White leather replaces the standard mesh on the toebox while black nubuck on the saddle and heel, a white midsole with the signature Max Air heel unit and a black rubber outsole finish off the details on what is now officially the most beloved Air Max 1 of all time. These will be available only via an in-store and online raffle that ends at 7pm on Friday, 3/17.
On March 25th Nike drops perhaps their most ambitious Air Max Day release, the Air Max 1 "Master". It takes the concept of "grails" to the next level by combining elements from a dozen of these highly coveted Air Max 1 colorways onto one shoe. Using the mudguard as the canvas, the "Master" features hits of the OG Red and Blue, the atmos Elephant, the atmos Safari , the Patta Chlorophyll, and the leopard print pony hair of The Beast among others. These are all overlaid on a premium black leather upper with micro perf detailing on the toebox and collar and a chenille swoosh that sits on top of a shiny black midsole and golden gum rubber outsole. The completed package makes for one hell of a luxurious greatest hits edition of the Air Max 1. The Air Max 1 "Master" will only be available via in-store and online raffle that begins next week. Happy Air Max Day everyone!
