Top 5–Nike Air Max Running Shoes

I love vintage running shoes and the most collected is the Air Max series.  They are the flagship running shoe in the Nike Brand and a have a loyal following for each release year.  I chose the 5 that I think represent the series best. The rest of the story after the break.

#5 - Air Max 97

I remember all the people wearing the 97 in high school and how I strived to own a pair.  This shoe is the slimmed down version of the Air Max 95. This was the first shoe to have an airbag under 90 percent of the shoe; not quite a 360 and more than a 180.  This shoe doesn’t do much for me, like most the newer Air Max shoes it’s a little busy and too modern.

#4 - Air Max 90

Originally the Air Max 90 was known as the Air Max III.  This is the taller thicker little brother of the Air Max 1 and the Air Max Light.  You can really see the influence from the previous Air Max Models with the plastic lace eyelets and the single rear airbag.  The 90 tends to stand a little higher, then it’s predecessors, but that seemed to be the trend in early 90’s running shoes.

#3 - Air Max 2011

Nike finally got it right.  The Air Max 2009 had a weird, overly rounded toe and the 2010 was just a fat kid dressed in technology. The 2011 is trimmed, sexy version of the new school running shoes. The shoe uses Nike’s hyperfuse technology which eliminates need for sewing fabric together.  This new technology increases precision and durability and it really trims the fat from the sneaker.

# 2 - Air Max 95

This is the last shoe to have an name and to not use the year of production, as the name.  It was originally called the Air Total Max and the sole was designed to resemble the human spine.  The 95 is one of the most collected of the Air Max series and still brings in huge money when sold on the after market.  The 95 was the first Air Max to have two airbags, the rear and the front.

#1 Air Max 1

It’s only fitting that the first Airmax shoe is also the number 1 shoe on my list. In 1987, Nike revolutionized the running shoe with the addition of Air technology.  By creating a pocket of air in the sole Nike increased the cushion of the modern running shoe, making for a more comfortable running experience.  The Airmax 1 is the most collected, most customized shoe of all the Air Max shoes. It’s also my favorite of all vintage running shoes.

Honorable Mentions: Air Max Light, Air Max 2003, Air Max Plus, Air Max BW Classic, Air Max 180, Air Max 360, Air Max 93