Nike is releasing a new Air Max sneaker on March 26, 2026 for the annual observance of Air Max Day. In anticipation for the 2026 drops, let’s look back at some of the best Air Max colorways of all time.
Nike Air Max 90 “Warhawk” – The WWII-Inspired Fighter Jet Sneaker
With a name like “Warhawk,” it’s easy to see where this pair of Nike Air Max 90 sneakers was inspired: the infamous World War II Pursuit (fighter) Plane, dubbed the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.
Not only do they have an inspiration that is near and dear to the history of the world, but the sneakers are also special editions with symbols and characteristics that make them unique. The sneakers are characterised by their unique design, which tends to include “teeth” along the upper and midsole, as well as a tiger shark print in honour of the Flying Tigers—a group of American pilots who volunteered to defend China from Japan before the US entered the fray that was WWII.
Off-White x Nike Air Max 90 “Desert Ore” – A Minimalist Hypebeast Classic
When you combine Off-White and Nike, you can never truly go wrong, and the Off-White X Air Max 90 “Desert Ore” is a striking testament to that fact.
Off-white has always had an undeniably signature look, but the “Desert Ore” is one of the instances when the collaboration has appeared at its most subtle. The sole unit and upper of these gorgeous sneakers are one solid colour, devoid of the usual writing and “labels” that make up the Off-White branding. However, the decorative stitching, thoughtful adaptations, and the little turquoise label above the Nike Swoosh still undeniably categorise these sneakers as an Off-White x Nike collaboration.
The sneakers’ subtleties are beautifully offset by the bright coral Nike Swoosh, which works more with them than against them, making it a gorgeous and sought-after pair.
Nike Air Max Lunar 90 “Moon Landing” – The Iconic Space-Themed Sneaker
Inspired by another monumental moment in history, the Air Max Lunar 90 SP “Moon Landing” follows the beautiful trend of having a name that makes it easy to see where Nike drew inspiration. More than four decades ago, the intense moment when the world held its breath as Neil Armstrong managed to be the first human to walk on the moon inspired this gorgeous pair of sneakers.
In paying homage to one of mankind’s most outstanding achievements as a species, these sneakers feature a pattern of lunar prints on their uppers and stars and stripe details at the heel for an extra patriotic touch. Despite only having debuted in 2014, nowhere near the time of the event, the sneakers sold out almost immediately and remain popular on resale sites worldwide.
Travis Scott x Nike Air Max 1 “Cactus Jack Baroque Brown” – Rugged Streetwear Heat
Anything created in collaboration with Travis Scott and Cactus Jack is bound to be a showstopper; let’s be honest with ourselves. Despite being flamboyant in his style choices, which have made him a fashion icon beyond just his music, many of the sneakers he creates in collaboration with Nike are understated, gorgeously wearable and versatile.
The same can be said for the Travis Scott X Air Max 1 “Cactus Jack Baroque Brown”, a pair of stunning retro runners with a rugged outdoor look that isn’t out of place when worn outside the confines of the inspiring environment. The combination of tan, off-white, brown and red makes these sneakers gorgeous for any occasion, and the Travis Scott branding makes them a highly sought-after pair of sneakers.
Parra x Nike Air Max 1 “Albert Heijn” – One of the Rarest Air Max Sneakers Ever
This gorgeous mix of white, orange, and blue was designed and planned for release in 2005 to honour the Dutch supermarket chain of the same name. Still, there was a miscommunication between the brand and Nike. Shortly after the sneakers were released, Albert Heijn’s branding went through a complete change, and when it did, the sneakers no longer matched the brand.
Rather than insulting the brand by calling back to their old branding so recently, Nike decided to scrap the sneaker design and gave the 24 pairs they had created to the Dutch artist Piet Parra’s friends and family after they had made the change. With only 24 genuine articles worldwide, this pair quickly became one of the rarest Nike Air Max sneakers ever. This does, unfortunately, mean that it is nearly impossible to get your hands on a pair of your own. However, there is always hope that Nike or Parra will take pity on the sneaker community that still loves this look and retro them in the future.
Nike Air Max Penny 1 – The Classic Signature Basketball Sneaker
This highly sought-after signature line marked when Nike’s Air Max sneakers entered a broader market. Featuring advanced Air Max cushioning in the heel, the Nike Air Max Penny I made an immediate impact on the sneaker world. I earned the respect of footwear lovers everywhere, just like the man that they were designed for.
These sneakers are one of few variations that have stood the test of time and are still available in many colourways on Nike. With new variations being added each year, a pair of these sneakers is a boon to any sneakerhead’s collection.
Nike Air Max Uptempo 95 “Lakers” – A Retro Basketball Icon with Team Spirit
You don’t get a name like “Lakers” in the basketball and sneaker worlds without being inspired by the legendary Los Angeles NBA franchise. These sneakers have a retro blend and are one of few silhouettes in the Air Max range created for basketball rather than the Air Max’s usual practice of making sneakers for runners.
Besides the revolutionary Air cushioning system that made these sneakers a hit in many sports spheres, the sneakers are a breath of fresh air regarding style and how they scream “team spirit,” celebrating one of the greatest teams ever.
Nike Air Max 1 OG “Anniversary” (2017) – The Timeless Classic Returns
As the name suggests, these sneakers were released as part of the anniversary celebration of the day the influential Air Max 1 OG line debuted, paying homage to the iconic design with a classic white, red, and grey colourway. This iconic version of the Air Max 1 features a gorgeous combination of suede and mesh upper for breathability and comfort that you won’t find in any other running sneaker, complemented by a light-weight and cushiony foam midsole and the signature visible Air cushioned unit in the heel. You can’t find a more classic look in the Air Max 1 sneaker collection, and these sneakers are a staple that is still sought-after.
Atmos x Nike Air Max 95 “Animal Pack” – The Wildest Air Max Collaboration
Talking about just one of the pairs of sneakers in this pack would be a crime, as the Atmos x Nike Air Max 95 “Animal Pack” is an absolute showstopper. Featuring sneakers inspired by a mix of faux tiger, leopard, zebra, and pony panels, each of the sneakers in the pack has a wild and eye-catching look that is bound to leave people needing to double-take when wearing a pair.
While the original pack made an undeniable splash in 2006, the 2018 rereleased collection did the same when it swapped out the black accents throughout the sneakers for an updated and luxurious ivory look. This added distinction to the sneakers and separated those who got them at different time intervals to let each iteration have a moment to shine.
Nike Air Max 97 “On Air: Shanghai Kaleidoscope” – A Global Design Masterpiece
Nike is famously known for its “On Air” initiative, which pushed the company to be more sustainable while preserving innovation and science. That initiative has been the launching point for many unique sneakers in its growing collection.
As part of this initiative, Cash Ru from Shanghai inspired the public with his design of the Air Max 97 “On Air: Shanghai Kaleidoscope.” The sneakers are aptly named, as they are eye-catching and gorgeous while still being true to Cash Ru’s roots in Shanghai. On the sneakers, the city’s horizon and the gorgeous sky are represented.
Cash Ru’s sneakers would be chosen as one of six winners from 18 finalists selected across six cities – New York, London, Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, and Tokyo.
