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When architect-turned-designer Tinker Hatfield started designing the first Air Max shoes in 1985, there was no way he could predict the massive success and influence they would have. Marking the beginning of Nike’s Air cushioning, the Air Max 1 was officially released in 1987, after Hatfield saw how many shoes his fellow Oregon gym-goers brought to assist with multiple sports (hence the nickname “multi-sport” shoes). These classic kicks are characterized by their iconic gas-filled urethane pouches, a wavy mudguard, and an aerodynamic look. Over the years, we’ve seen many equally iconic Air iterations, like the Air Max 97s that were inspired by Japanese bullet trains, but the Air Max 1 was the start of it all. And now Nike has dropped some new Air Max 1 Premium shoes paying homage to the west coast.
Part of the sportswear brand’s Coast Pack, this new pair of Air Max 1s comes in a White/University Red colorway and nods to Northern California, made clear by the “Bay Area” graphic featured on the insole and the fuzzy tongue, along with the California license plate-inspired embellishments. Additionally, the kicks are packaged with a chain that resembles a highway sign and reads “Nike Coast.” The swoosh on these shoes is in Nike’s University Red color and designed to look like a feather this time around. We have a foam midsole with a classic Air Unit in the heel, and for the outsole, Nike designed it with rubber waffle material to improve traction and honor the shoe’s athletic roots.
Although the Air Max 1s have a long history with sports and running culture, they were adopted by many subcultures over the years and are still one of Nike’s most popular silhouettes. The world of hip-hop was one subculture that welcomed these kicks with open arms, much like the Air Force 1s, and continues to appreciate them to this day.
These new Nike Air Max 1 Premium shoes are available now for $160.
