Back from 1986.
For the better part of a decade now, Nike has made it an initiative to emphasize Air Max Day, celebrating the advent of the Air Max line. And in the time since, it's taken on a thematic life all its own – from a one day celebration on March 26th, to a celebration all March long. Last spring, Nike began to open the DNA (Department of Archives) to the public, and in a public-facing declaration, we saw the first sample of the 'Big Bubble' Air Max 1. Originally released in 1986, the model had a short shelf life due to the instability of the fourth Air pillar in the unit. And the silhouette's midsole was redesigned to house three pillars within the visible bubble unit and came with a slightly reshaped and refined midsole – which for decades became the silhouette and tooling we've grown accustomed. The 'Big Bubble' retro pays close attention to the 1986 original construction – from the upper's sleekly shaped upper and the mudguard height, to the four pillar visible Air unit and OG midsole design details. Scroll for the official images below and stick close to Sole-U for the official release details for Air Max Day.
Nike Air Max 1 '86 "Big Bubble"
White/University Red-Light Neutral Grey
DQ3989-100
3. 26. 23.
$160
