Nike Air VaporMax EVO - 'Collector's Chest'
Paying homage to iconic Air Max collaborations and releases of the past, the VaporMax EVO is bursting with details for Air Max fans to discover. Let's take a look at the releases that make up this VaporMax.
Air Max 1 - 1987
In 1987, Nike debuted the Tinker Hatfield-designed Air Max 1, the first shoe to feature the first visible Air Unit and window to the sole of the shoe. This was the birth of the Air Max that would go on to feature all kinds of crazy variations and collaborations.
Air Max 95 & Air Max 97 - 1995, 1997
Designed by Sergio Lozano, whose earliest design work for the Swoosh consisted of Tennis, Training, and ACG products, the Air Max 95 model was a visual departure from previous silhouettes in the Air Max line. It was a hit with the OG neon green colourway remaining the OG colourway everyone is sought after.
2 years later came the Air Max 97 in an equally iconic OG colourway called the 'Silver Bullet.' Despite many thinking the shape was inspired by Japanese bullet trains, it was merely the colourway that referenced Japan trains. Instead, the Air Max 97 was inspired by mountain bikes and was the first Air Max to feature a full-length Air unit sole.
Air Max Plus & Air Max 90 'Warhawk' - 1998, 2007
Some athletic shoes transcend their performance roots and become a cultural phenomenon. The Nike Air Max Plus, released in 1998, is one such shoe. Coming in its iconic Hyper Blue colourway, it was the first pair to feature the Tuned Air or "TN" technology.
Incredibly rare and a grail for many, the Air Max 90 Warhawk design was inspired by the P-90 air fighters of the same name used in World War II. The sneaker in a weird way resembles BAPE’s shark face design — thanks to the shark teeth graphic along the sneaker’s side. Other details include military-inspired olive-toned leather construction with a bright orange swoosh and laces.
Air Max 1 x Patta & Air Max 90 'Dizzee Rascal' - 2009
Dutch retailers Patta celebrated their fifth anniversary with a string of Air Max 1 collaborations. The 'Chlorophyll' AM1 was the most seemingly simple and widely available of the lot, a fact that saw many pairs linger on store shelves and even hit outlets at seriously discounted prices. Years later, it's an absolute classic and must-have to many.
Created for a special partnership between Dizzee and Nike, the UK artist released a special 'Tongue 'N Cheek' Air Max 90 release.
It was constructed from a subtle combination of chalk white premium grade soft leather and high knap premium suede. The shoe now resells for about R29k.
Air Max 1 x atmos & Air Max 90 'Moon Landing' - 2013, 2014
Dropping as part of the 'Animal Camo' pack back in 2013, tiger camo- and snakeskin-plied sneaks were joined by a desert camo and leopard print-swathed AM1. A beastly double-drop to be sure, but it's the 'Tiger Camo' that stalks most sneaker dreams.
Featuring a full 3M upper, the Moon Landing AM90 paid tribute to Neil Armstrong and his achievement as the first man to walk on the moon. Made with a Lunarlon midsole and Nike Air heel unit, the limited-edition sneaker features an all-over 3M moon print accompanied by a speckled midsole.
Air Max 1 x atmos & Air Max 98 x Supreme
Acting as a re-release of the 2002 classic, the Nike Air Max 1 Safari with atmos was built with a two-toned, heavy suede and a translucent glow-in-the-dark outsole.
The Supreme x Nike Air Max 98 is a special edition collaboration between Supreme, the NYC based skateboarding retailer. It released on April 28th, 2016 in four colorways (Red, Sail/Snakeskin, Black, and Silver/Navy).
Air Max 95 & Air Max 1/97 by Sean Wotherspoon - 2016, 2017
Released in 2016, the Air Max 95 arrived in a multi-colour hairy upper elevating the classic.
Combining the Air Max 97 upper with the sole of an Air Max 1, RoundTwo's Sean Wotherspoon applied layers of corduroy to the model. An instant hit, the pair is still considered by many as an ultimate Air Max grail.
Air Max 180 x CDG - 2018
As part of a pack of 3 pairs, the Comme des Garçons collab with Nike on the 180 stole the hearts of many with their bright pink pops contrasted by white, black or a lighter pink. These still hold value to this day as a unique release from the Japanese label.
The Nike Air VaporMax EVO - 'Collector's Chest' is now available at our CPT, JHB and online store for R3599.