When Nike dropped the first Air Max shoe back in 1987, it revolutionized the industry. Not only did they make a super comfortable trainer, but they also showed you how they did it. Inspired by the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France, Nike designer Tinker Hatfield showed off his genius by making that visible air pocket the focal point of the shoe.
Sure, they’ve made good looking Air Max shoes for over 30 years now, but the star of the show has always been and always will be the air.
Lest you think that Nike has only made the Air Max line strictly for training. On this list, we’ve put together what we think are the 25 best Air Max’s ever made. This list includes football shoes, basketball shoes, and even baseball shoes. The Air Max line isn’t just one type of shoe, but it does mean one thing: quality.
Flip through the slides and take a look. Maybe you’ve owned some of these yourself. Maybe not, but either way, these are some interesting shoes to take a look at.
25. Nike Air Max CW (Sensation)
The CW’s are a collector’s item of the highest order. The shoe did well compared to the other Air models on the market at the time, but was pulled after a short time on the shelves. Why, you ask?
Chris Webber, the CW, left Nike because of the way the shoe was being marketed and sold. C-Webb refused to have his shoes sold for $140. About the controversy, Webber said, “How can I charge that price for my shoe when I speak to all those inner-city kids and preach to them?” Who knew Chris Webber was such a good guy?