To say that Nike’s execution of it’s first ever Air Max Month was next level would be a huge understatement. The Beaverton team has continued a constant stream of heat utilizing visible air technology. We’ve seen the return of the OG Air Max 1 in Universtiy red and Sports blue. Last year, Nike gave Air Max fans an opportunity to vote to their favorite colorway, ushering the rerelease of the Atmos Pack Air Max 1 Elephant Print. We’ve even received a mashup of some of the best iterations to hit ever hit the market with the introduction of the Air Max 1 “Master.”

This Air Max Day also came with the introduction of the new Vapormax silhouette, a piece of footwear mastery thirty years in the making. The model is a fusion of a Flyknit technology-dominated upper atop a full-length Air sole. The kicker is the sole utilizes unique tooling maximize performance and comfort while cutting weight significantly.

Today, as we walk on Air and celebrate the 30th birthday of one of the most famous sneakers of all time, we at Def Pen reflect on some of our favorite models and what makes them special to us.

Air Max 97 Silver Bullet- Karl

I never considered myself a sneakerhead until much later in my life, but coincidentally, I was going through some old pictures the other day and found one from my 6th birthday party where I was unwrapping a pair of Silver Bullet 97s. That year, my grandparents had moved to Florida putting about 1400 miles between us, and this was the first gift they sent me after the move. I didn’t even remember ever owning the pair, but it reminded me of my grandma always keeping me strapped up with the best stuff. Although I eventually outgrew them, and they probably found their way to some Goodwill shelf, I’m excited about the upcoming relaunch later this year, so I can lace them up again in memory of my grandma.

Air Max 1 VT Vachetta Pack & Air Max Plus -Jamara

Way back in Summer 2013, years before the impending Vachetta Tan craze took over, Nike introduced a women’s only pack utilizing the luxurious tone. The pack was the first to bring VacTech to the Air Max 1, highlighted in bright pastels, giving the colorways a modest but eye-catching aesthetic.

Air Max 90 “Infrared”-Travis

Arguably one of the most famous Air Max colorways of all time, the Air Max 90 “Infrared” embodies the progressive mindset of Nike and the advancement of running technology. When you consider how much the technology changed between the AM1 and the AM90, it’s interesting to think of what the Vapormax may look like 3 years from now. The Air Max 90 “Infrared” has stood the test of time. It’s received reworks over the year, including the most recent which utilized Flyknit.

Air Max Plus “Tiger”-Mari

“I was in elementary school. My Science teacher gave me a good progress report, so my mom copped them for me.” The Air Max Plus is a relic of Nike’s super experimental period of the late 90’s. The model represents the advancement of the brand into the 21st century while staying true to its roots as performance-centric. The Air Max Plus (aka Air Max TN), was the first model using “tuned air.” This technology places different pressure of air throughout the sole of the shoe to provide optimum cushioning.

Air Max 95-Cordell

The Air Max 95 not only made a pivot technology-wise but also sent Visible air in a different direction from a design standpoint. Designer Sergio Lozano shifted from the simplicity of earlier Tinker Hatfield models, giving the AM95 a unique wafer air pocket in the front. The shoe also opted out of a large swoosh and instead, gave the 95 smaller branding on the heel. The 95 brought Volt coloring from of the exclusivity of racing style and opened it up for a mush wider accessibility on other models. The Air Max 95 is another model that has survived the evolution of footwear and remains one of the most popular pairs of all time. Dell is a long time fan of the 95. The colorways that sparked the obsession was the “Mexico” iteration which launched in lieu of the ’96  FIFA World Cup.

Leave us a comment and tell us about your favorite Air Max and what makes them special to you. Happy Air Max Day from the whole Def Pen team!

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