Air Max 95

It’s not every day we see a sneaker with the most unique design inspiration possible. But the Nike Air Max 95 proved wonders.

Ever since the arrival of Nike Air Max in 1987, a lot of the first models left their mark as the most memorable Air Max model to come out. Nobody ever forgets the Nike Air Max 1, the Air Max 90, and even the Air Max BW. But come 1995, it was a whole new design ethos for Nike. And it defined the future of the next few Air Max silhouettes.

Tinker Hatfield moved on from the Air Max series in 1994, now handing it to an up-and-coming designer in Sergio Lozano.

The Nike Air Max 95 was unlike any other. Sergio Lozano’s vision for the shoe took inspiration from geographical erosion and the human anatomy. For a guide to how the shoe resembled the human body; the midsole represents the spine, the wavy panels are the muscles, and the laces are the ribs. Combining these aspects resulted in a brand new Air Max model.

It was a memorable moment not just for Nike but for the running community in general. The Nike Air featured an Air Max unit in the forefoot, leveling up to the heel-only setup in the past. Although it’s not the best option for running, it gave a glimpse of the future of the brand when it comes to developing sneaker technology.

Featuring a mesh base body with graduating panels of grey suede that’s inspired by muscles, the Nike Air Max 95 popularized the “Neon” colourway. The vibrant Volt tincture emblazoned the eyestay, the Air Max units, and the tiny subtle Swoosh on the rear area. This colour combination grew to become an icon and a mainstay colour scheme in Nike.

Through the years, the Nike Air Max 95 continued to bless sneakerheads’ feet with its eye-catching style. And that’s what immortalized not just the shoe, but the “Neon” makeover as well.

Because of its  popularity, the Nike Air Max 95 “Neon” has already released over 10 times since its 1995 debut. Which is quite a feat for a sneaker that didn’t really get recognized for what it was meant to in the first place: performance running. Nevertheless, the Nike Air Max 95 immortalized itself as one of the best lifestyle models around.

The past continues to meet the present. Check out some of the latest Nike Air Max 95 releases below: