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Nike Air Max Day

Published: 26/03/2021, updated: 20/01/2025

What is Nike Air Max Day?

Nike Air Max Day is a virtual celebration of Nike’s most iconic trainer design. The Air Max brings together community, culture, style and most importantly for us, sports.

When is Nike Air Max Day?

Nike Air Max Day is celebrated every year, worldwide on March 26th.

When was the Air Max launched?

Nike debuted the iconic trainer on March 26th 1987 with the first model, the Air Max 1. The rest, as they say, is history.

The history of Air Max

1988

Nike Air Max Walker MAX. A walker rather than a runner, was added to the Air Max line up in 1988, with the Air Max Walker.

1989

Nike Air Max Light - A REALLY lightweight form of an original Air Max runner from 1987.

1990

Following the launch of Air Max 1, the infamous Air Max 90 was first seen in 1990. This sneaker, with the stand-out side panel, has turned heads for all of the right reasons since.

1991

The Nike Air Max BW and a 'bigger window' of the Air-sole unit. 1991 also saw the launch fo the Air Max 180 - crafted with a bigger Air-unit sitting all the way under the trainer, for 180 degree cushioning.

1992

It's the Nie Air Max ST. A follow-up of the Air Max 180 with a focus on stability and the biggest Air-sole to date.

1993

Nike Air Max 93 and the revolution of the Air-unit wrapped around the heel of the shoe.

1994

When the Nike Air Max 94 was launched in 1994, there were two different versions crafted - the low-top and slip-on boot.

1995

The Air Max 95 - the first shoe with a second visible air-unit, positioned at the front. The Nike Racer Max was also born in 1995. This was a lifestyle-inspired design.

1996

Nike Air Max 96 was the design of 1996 - all about the mesh panels.

1997

1997 and the launch of the Air Max 97 - full of full-length Nike Air cushioning.

1998

The Air Max Plus came in 1998, with the Nike Air-unit split into different sections, as did the Nike Air Max 98 with a heavily padded upper of mesh and leather, and the Air Max 98 TL.

1999

In another busy year, 1999 saw the launch of the bold and eye-catching Nike Air Max Deluxe, as well as the Nike Air Tuned Max in a tribute to the 90s.

2003

The Nike Air Max 2003 was crafted for maximum cushioning with a minimalist design.

2015

The Nike Air Max 2015, abandoning the Flyknit, saw engineered mesh. Additionally in 2015, was the Nike Air Max Zero.

2017

A breakthrough in 2017 unveiled the Nike Air VaporMax, in which the VaporMax unit itself performed as both the midsole and outsole.

2018

2018 was all about the Air Max 270 - the first Air Max crafted especially for casual wear.

2019

By 2019, Nike had developed the Air Max 720, with the tallest Nike Air cushion - so far at least!

2020

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Air Max 90 in 2020, the Air Max 2090 was born - futuristic and with an uprgaded Air-unit 200% bigger in size.