Air Max Day: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

air max day

If you’re new to the sneaker game or never really ventured beyond casual sneaker collecting, March 26 might seem like any other day to you. However, for hardcore sneakerheads, Air Max Day is one that is held very dear and very close to their hearts.

Before the hype and heat of recent years such as Virgil Abloh’s “The Ten” collection and Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear Of God collaborations, the Air Max was – and still is to many – the Godfather of sneakers.

Released in 1987, the first pair made its debut in the form of the Air Max 1, designed by beloved designer Tinker Hatfield.

Air Max 1 in 1987. Image by Nike

While the Air technology had been present in Nike’s arsenal since the 70s, its application was mostly kept to running. But as the times changed, so did the tastes and expectations of people and Hatfield recognised that shift.

“The mid-’80s was a period of transition from a more formalized hierarchy to a looser, street-based, more inspirational form,” Hatfield explained. “We at Nike were part of that wave, and I just happened to be a designer doing it from a footwear perspective when nobody else was.”

Tinker Hatfield’s first Visible Air sketch. Image by Nike

Hatfield revolutionised the way we thought about sneakers by introducing what we now know as “visible Air”, a pocket of translucent cushion that has become synonymous with the Air Max line.

By the 90s, sport and culture had converged and street culture was in full force. With each bold iteration of an Air Max silhouette, people had more ways to express themselves, along with the music they were listening to.

As youths were exposed to hip hop, faster dance music and the advent of the World Wide Web, iconic silhouettes were born such as the Air Max 90, Air Max 95, Air Max 97, Air Max Plus and more.

Despite newer competing silhouettes entering the market, these classic models are still as popular as they ever were and have become muses for big name collaborators like Abloh and Lorenzo.

Today, we’re introduced to a whole range of newer models that continue to break tradition while paying homage to its heritage. Silhouettes like the Air Max 720 clearly have a touch of nostalgia in its aesthetics while incorporating modern technologies, evident in having the tallest Air bag in history.

The recently-released Nike Air Max 720 “Sea Forest”

So the next time the calendar hits March 26, spare a thought for the amazing journey Air Maxes have had over the years and if you own a pair, what a better day to wear them loud and proud.

If you’re looking to own one or simply expand your collection, here are some top picks that are available on Nike.com.

1) Nike Air Max 95 ND “Have A Nike Day”

Part of the “Have A Nike Day” pack, the Air Max 95 ND looks absolutely brilliant in its mix of pastel purple, green, coral and black on a suede and synthetic overlays.

The same colourway is also available on the Nike Air Max 1 ND silhouette, so take your pick!

Price: SGD219 or MYR579
Buy: Nike.com

2) Nike Air Max 97 LX “Bio Beige”

Exclusively for women, the Air Max 97 LX series blends the beautifully-retro waves of the classic 97 model in luxurious detail.

Premium leather overlays take this pair up a notch from its usual jogger feel and gives you an added bounce to your look.

Price: SGD259 or MYR735
Buy: Nike.com

3) Nike Air Max 720 “Sea Forest”

Recently launched as part of the “Nature Pack”, the brand new Air Max 720 comes in a lovely gradient of deep royal blue to hyper jade from heel to toe.

Packed with the tallest Air bag ever on a sneaker, the Air Max 720 makes the statement while giving you an added bounce on every step.

Price: SGD259 or MYR735
Buy: Nike.com

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If you’re in the mood for more, check out the entire Air Max Collection that’s available on Nike.com here.

This article was brought to you by Nike.

How To Cop The Nike Air Max 97/1 x Sean Wotherspoon from Limited Edt in Singapore

sean wotherspoon singapore

Limited Edt has officially confirmed that it will be releasing the highly-coveted Air Max 97/1 x Sean Wotherspoon in Singapore.

There will two ballots in total, one for LE’s VIP members (online) and another for the public. The former will take place on March 24 while the public ballot will be conducted on March 26.

Entries to the public ballot can only be obtained via a ticket stub that has been given out with every purchase of an Air Max at any LE store since last week. LE will continue to give away ticket stubs until March 25 (except the outlet store).

LE will then begin collecting the ballot entries at LE Vault (313 Somerset) from March 22-25. A live ballot draw will take place on March 26, with timing to be announced later on.

Aside from the public ballot to purchase the Air Max 97/1 x Sean Wotherspoon, LE will also be conducting a separate lucky draw, with the shoe as its grand prize.

In lead up to Air Max Day on March 26, Limited Edt will be pulling out all the stops to celebrate the joyous occasion.

Separately, Nike.com in Singapore and Malaysia will also be releasing the pair online. More details on that here.

Nike Unveils Big Guns For Air Max Day 2018 Sneaker Line-up

It’s the start of the year, and for many Nike and general sneaker fans across the globe, that means Air Max Day is just around the corner.

The yearly affair, which takes place on March 26, has been Nike’s tentpole event for several years since the resurgence of the Air Max series and this year looks set to be huge with a combination of retro and brand new silhouettes on the horizon.

Some iconic Air Max models such as the Nike Air 180 “Ultramarine” and Nike Air Max 93 in “Dusty Cactus” will be making a return on February 2, as we lead up to the big day.

Sean Wotherspoon’s winning design from last year’s Air Max Day – the Nike Air Max 97/1- will be making a wider release as well.

More importantly, a brand new silhouette to make its debut this year will be the Air Max 270, with several new colourways dropping on February 1 and March 2.

Other models that will be released leading up to the day are the VaporMax 2.0 and VaporMax Plus.

[caption id="attachment_11334" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Image: Nike[/caption]