More often than not, brand collaborations seem to feature industry-favorite stalwarts teaming up with trendy newcomers or niche design houses. However, you rarely see two of the biggest brands in the world collide for a single release.
It’s been five years since Nike and Levi’s last teamed up, and looking at what they’ve got in store for us, we’d say it was worth the wait. Their newest project takes the Air Max 95 — a sneaker that’s already been celebrating its 30th anniversary this year — and gives it the full denim treatment.
Heritage Worth Celebrating
The relationship between Nike and Levi’s runs deeper than most people realize. Their partnership kicked off in 2008 with the Jordan Brand’s “23/501” collection, a men’s-only capsule that bundled co-branded Air Jordans with matching 501 jeans. It was ambitious, if not maybe even a little ahead of its time. The 2018 “Nike by Levi’s” customization platform followed, letting sneaker enthusiasts incorporate Levi’s fabrics into Air Force 1s and Air Max 90s through Nike’s personalization service.
Both brands have always shared this distinctly American approach to design: functional, unpretentious, and built to last. Sergio Lozano’s anatomical masterpiece, the Air Max 95 was originally conceived as a maximalist running shoe with visible air cushioning that shocked Nike’s own management team back in the day. Levi’s, meanwhile, has been perfecting denim construction since 1873. The brand responsible for the breakout of jeans over 150 years ago hardly needs any introduction.
Raw Denim Meets Performance
The three colorways — Obsidian, Light Orewood Brown, and Black — each tell their own story through different denim treatments. The Obsidian version plays with classic indigo tones you’ll find in the most iconic jean models ever, while the Light Orewood Brown offers a more neutral canvas that’ll fit in with the modern streetwear scene (heck, all three of these will work though). The black iteration is perhaps the most versatile, creating what Nike calls a “stealthy” profile that pairs naturally with worn-in Levi’s.
Despite the collaborative headline, it’s the texture work here that makes these shoes so indelible. The frayed raw edges nod to how denim naturally evolves through wear. Nike promises these shoes will develop character over time, much like your favorite pair of jeans. This feels almost contrarian to the current sneaker culture that purchases shoes but seems to keep their pairs behind plexiglass.
Levi’s signature red tab appears on the lateral heel, while the sockliner features both brands’ logos in red. Three different lace options, including a bright red pair, give you room to customize the look depending on your day’s wardrobe.
Beyond the Sneaker
Of course, this wouldn’t be a Nike x Levi’s collab without some accompanying threads. The marquee sneakers can be paired up with a pair of co-branded jeans and a trucker jacket featuring light wash denim with embroidered Nike logo that’s surprisingly not too overt. However, specific availability hasn’t yet been announced for these.
Spec Sheet
Model: Nike x Levi’s Air Max 95
Colorways: Obsidian, Light Orewood Brown/White, Black/
Uppers: Levi’s denim
Midsole: Max Air
Pricing: $205
Limited Edition?: Yes, unspecified
Pricing & Availability
Limited in its production run, the Nike x Levi’s Air Max 95 collection drops July 10 through Levi’s website and select retail stores, followed by a Nike SNKRS release on July 11. At $205, the sneakers sit at the premium end of Air Max 95 pricing. Pricing for the jeans and trucker jacket hasn’t been announced, but expect them to land somewhere between Levi’s premium offerings and typical collaboration markups.
Recap
Nike x Levi’s Air Max 95
Nike teamed up with Levi’s for these special-edition Air Max 95s, featuring a gradient denim upper and a signature tag for the jeans brand.
