Top 25 Nike Air Max 1 Colorways

On March 26th, 2026, Nike and sneakerheads will be celebrating all things Air Max with Nike Air Max Day. The date is especially significant to the Nike Air Max 1 because that was the day that the sneaker was introduced to the world back in 1987. Tinker Hatfield’s forward-looking design helped people see the tech in an era when we people were still capable of awe and amazement. With a visible Air Max unit, people were convinced they were getting next-generation level cushioning.

As the Nike Air Max 1 celebrates its 39th anniversary, the silhouette has experienced a transition from the top of the performance ladder to a staple of every sneakerhead’s collection off the track and the treadmill. Far more people today see the Air Max 1 as a lifestyle model than those who experienced the sneaker’s original purpose as a true runner. For generations, designers, sneaker boutiques, and artists have helped change the perception of the sneaker one high-profile collaboration at a time.

With hundreds of general releases, limited editions, and collaborations in the vault, the Nike Air Max 1 has plenty of worthy entries that would top many other sneakers’ top 10 lists. Here’s a look at our picks for the top 25 of all-time, with the knowledge that with the 40th anniversary fast approaching, we will no doubt see new entries in a future iteration of this list.

25. Division St. x Tinker Hatfield x Nike Air Max 1 Ducks of a Feather (2022)

Established in 2021, Division St. is a collective led by University of Oregon legends and the Shoe Dog himself, Phil Knight, to assist Oregon student-athletes in navigating the name, image, and likeness era. As part of the initial launch, the Tinker Hatfield-designed Air Max 1 was limited to 120 pairs and made available through a Flying Formations NFT* collection that owners could redeem for the sneakers. As a special treat, a handful of pairs were even signed by Tinker himself.

*Fun fact (for me, a day one NFT hater): The top closing price for Flying Formations NFT for 15.5 Ethereum in February 2022, valued between $50,000 to $40,000. A recent sale of a presumably redeemed NFT for the sneakers went for 0.0194 Ethereum, or $40.

24. Nike Air Max 1 Grey Mesh* (1999, 2004)

According to various outlets, a Nike Air Max 1 would drop in 1999 that would not look out of place in a New Balance catalog with its grey suede and mesh upper. However, there’s been some dispute as to their authenticity and whether or not they were made by Nike. The preceding years would see Nike make plenty of Air Max 1s in varying shades of grey suede and mesh so the demand for the iconic look was met. The mystery remains however, if the 1999 pair was actually the first made by Nike or the first that would inspire Nike to make something similar later on.

23. Nike Air Max 1 Air Max Day (2014, 2024)

Nike’s first official Air Max Day took place on March 26, 2014, celebrating the 27th anniversary of the Air Max 1. As someone who was at the first Air Max Day event at Undefeated Los Angeles wearing the Black/Total Crimson Air Max 90 because I wasn’t cool enough to own any of the Patta or atmos collabs, the vibe that night was definitely, “this is a cool event, but it is kind of funny we’re celebrating the 27th anniversary of something.” But what got people hyped was the limited edition Air Max Day Air Max 1 that featured the classic University Red colorway with volt tooling and special packaging that mimicked a giant Air Max unit. Nike would revive the theme a decade later for the 10th anniversary of Air Max Day (aka the 37th anniversary of the Air Max 1) by bringing back the OG Varsity Blue colorway with the same volt tooling, but this time in the “big bubble” build.

22. Nike Air Max 1 BRS Powerwall (2006, 2024)

In 2005, Nike unveiled the Powerwall Series, a celebration of three decades of Nike’s revolutionary Air technology*. The sprawling pack included Air Max models in various themes and colorways in limited quantities, resulting in some of the most desirable and expensive Air Maxes ever made. One of the most memorable pairs from the Powerwall was the Air Max 1 BRS that paid homage to Nike’s origins as Blue Ribbon Sports. Limited to only 144 pairs made, the legend of the sneaker would grow alongside the Air Max 1 until a 2024 retro allowed collectors to fill the hole in their wishlists.

*It should be noted that the first Nike shoe to use Air was the Tailwind in 1978. So nearly a decade before Air Max Day, Nike celebrated the 30th anniversary of something in relation to Air in Year 27. Turns out nothing is a coincidence.

21. Nike Air Max 1 Tinker Sketch To Shelf (2019)

Celebrating the mind behind the Air Max 1, Nike released three variations of the Air Max 1 inspired byTinker Hatfield’s design process. From sketch to schematic to product on shelf, it’s a journey through what Tinker was thinking at the time he was coming up with the sneaker that would become the Nike Air Max 1. The white and red pair is a little more whimsical with the color-by-numbers and the handwritten notes printed throughout the upper, while the black and white pairs have a more refined look that’s further along in production.

20. Patta x Nike Air Max 1 Waves (2021, 2022, 2026)

Even though Patta has collaborated with Nike for two decades, their projects were often out of reach to the average sneakerhead who neither had the connections or bank account to acquire some of the pairs we’ll see later on in this list. That would change in 2021 with the release of the first set of Wave Air Maxes that reimagined the mudguard to resemble a wave-like pattern. With six limited edition colorways released between 2021 and 2022, the increased quantity made them accessible to those who always wanted to be a pair of the “wave.” And with one new colorway available now and another set to drop on Air Max Day, more people will get a chance to own one of the most recognizable Air Maxes of this decade.

19. Parra x Nike Air Max 1 Albert Heijn (2005)

On the big list of inspirations for sneakers, a local supermarket chain does not rate on the same level as restaurants, parks, or even other types of retail establishments. But when tasked by Nike in 2005 to design an Air Max 1 to represent the city of Amsterdam, artist Piet Parra took two different approaches. One pair would go on to become a top-five Air Max 1 (spoiler) while the other would be destroyed, save for 24 pairs, because of corporate restructuring. Parra’s take on supermarket Albert Heijn was a colorful look, especially by 2005 standards. Unfortunately, the grocer would undergo a rebranding that rendered the sneaker obsolete. Personally, a story like that actually enhances the value of the sneaker, but Nike thought otherwise, leaving only 24 pairs to be given to friends-and-family.

18. Nike Air Max 1 Curry (2003, 2018)

When the Nike Air Max 1 Curry first dropped in stores in 2003, it was beloved by the sneaker community. Well, that’s one interpretation of the Curry’s history. Other outlets will tell you that they were an inline pair that did not move the needle until the model became more popular and people were looking for old colorways to elevate to cult status and thus increase their resale value. While the origin story of the sneaker will probably always be in dispute, what is no longer in question is the position of the sneaker as one of the best and most versatile colorways ever made. For the 15th anniversary of the sneaker, Nike would drop a Curry pack that included the original alongside Olive and Red Curry colorways.

17. Nike Air Max 1 Skulls Pack (2007, 2017)

An homage to the late Steve Prefontaine, the first athlete to sign with Nike, 2007’s Skulls Pack featured two colorways of the Air Max 1 with connections to Steve. Both pairs featured a skull logo on the heel representing the pirate mascot of Steve’s alma mater, Marshfield High. With speckled midsoles, a combination of leather, ripstop, and suede upper, it was a classy tribute to a Nike icon. For the 10th anniversary of the Skulls Pack, Nike would bring back the skull and crossbones in monochrome black and a white midsole for use on the Air Max 90, the Air Max 95, and the returning Air Max 1.

16. atmos x Nike Air Max 1 Animal (2006, 2018)

Featuring an upper comprised of faux tiger, leopard, zebra, and tiger prints mixed with pony hair, the Air Max 1 Animal designed by atmos’ Hirofumi Kojima was released in 2006 alongside a matching and equally obscene (positive) Air Max 95, a sneaker we named the second best Air Max 95 of all-time. The fact that the Animal ranked that high for the 95 and is “only” 16th overall for the Air Max 1 speaks to the depth of releases for the sneaker. A retro in 2018 and a reimagining in 2019 that spreads the theme across three sneakers speaks to the versatility of the theme and how we don’t care that these they can look like complimentary pieces to gaudy 1980s furniture patterns.

15. Kidrobot x Nike Air Max 1 (2005)

Toymaker Kidrobot designers Paul Budnitz and Chad Phillips teamed up with Nike on a limited edition Air Max 1, and true to form, they brought the blind-box concept to the table decades before it would become the mainstream phenomenon (and menace) as it’s known today. Inspired by the 1986 Maserati Quattroporte III Royale, only 250 pairs of the black and gold colorway were made available to the public via Barneys of New York. At the same time, an additional 72 pairs were made in an alternate hot pink and red styling. Each pair came with a Kidrobot foil-wrapped pack containing one of five different insoles designed by Gary Baseman, Dalek, David Horvath, Huck Gee, and Frank Kozik, ensuring that even if you have the sneakers, you don’t have the complete set.

14. Parra x Nike Air Max 1 (2018)

Filled with stripes, polka dots, clouds, and Swooshes, Parra’s 2018 collaboration with Nike unleashed a flurry of whimsy and wonder that sometimes feels sorely missing in sneakers. The result was one of the most popular releases of 2018 from any brand. And that’s not even taking into account the elusive friends and family pair that swaps out the Swoosh for a full cloud graphic on the overlay and the companion Spiridon release that might be a tad underrated nowadays because of the attention paid to the Air Max 1.

13. Nike Air Max 1 Master (2017)

Whether you have the black pair or the friends-and-family exclusive white colorway, the Nike Air Max 1 Master was a trip down memory lane. The mudguard is lined up with patches that feature instantly recognizable pieces of classic Air Max 1 colorways and collaborations. From the OG Red and Blues to the classic collabs by atmos, Parra, Kidrobot, and others, it’s a “What The” sneaker, but in a more subdued form.

12. Nike Air Max 1 Urawa (2004, 2023)

For reasons that can only be attributed to Westerners assuming any imagery vaguely resembling a reptile from Japan is a dragon, there’s a segment of sneakerheads who have been calling this 2004 homage to the Urawa Red Diamond football club (no relation to dragons) that includes a curvy graphic on the heel the “Urawa Red Dragons” for over two decades. In reality, the graphic on the heel is actually an eel, a favored dish in the Urawa area that’s now a part of the city of Saitama. While the red pair remains a grail to fans and collectors alike, Nike brought back the Red Diamond Air Max 1 in 2023 in a very un-red grey colorway complete with the returning eel that’s absolutely not a dragon.

11. CLOT x Nike Air Max 1 Kiss of Death (2006, 2021)

In simpler times, Edison Chen and CLOT were one of Nike’s most prolific and successful collaborators. The partnership kicked off in 2006 with the CLOT Air Max 1, which was unlike anything that had been tried at Nike before. From the transparent toe box, snakeskin Swoosh, suede overlays, and graphics on the insole and translucent outsole that meshes Nike’s innovations with traditional Chinese medicine, it’s a multi-layered collaboration that’s wrapped in introspection. Around the same time, Kanye West (also in simpler times) designed a pair in grey and solar red while he was on his Touch The Sky Tour in Hong Kong. Limited to only four pairs (two for Kanye, two for Edison), the solar red pair would get a proper release in 2021 alongside the Kiss of Death retro.

10. HUF x Nike Air Max 1 Hufquake (2007)

Much like the Urawa Red “Dragons” mix-up, a casual glance at this 2007 collaboration by HUF might have you believe that the upper is actually composed mostly of all-black elephant print. The actual inspiration for the sneaker is the 100th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, one of the deadliest natural disasters in the history of the United States. The theme would be revisited in 2024 in a vastly different form that only alludes to the original in subtle ways.

9. Patta x Nike Air Max 1 Chlorophyll (2009, 2024)

Allusions to the iconic Air Trainer 1 colorway aside, Patta’s Air Max 1 Chlorophyll collaboration succeeds with its simplistic vibe that could easily pass for a general release pair if not for the Patta branding on the tongue label. The 2024 retro celebrates the retailer’s 20th anniversary, and just like all modern retros, there’s going to be plenty of purists obsessing over every little detail to see if Nike and Patta were able to bring them back properly.

8. atmos x Nike Air Max 1 B Viotech (2003, 2007)

While some sneakers need loud and ornate touches to stand out, atmos found something special within the shades of brown with their second Air Max 1 collab with Nike. Without the contrasting gold mini-Swoosh and violet (aka Viotech) Swoosh and Air unit, this Air Max 1 relates more to a dress shoe/loafer than a casual sneaker. But the pop of color the gold and viotech deliver in such a way that sneakerheads revere the pair to this day. It even got a limited re-release a few years later as part of retailer GREYONE’s Year 1 celebration with a special edition box designed by artist Dez Einswell that’s limited to 100 pairs.

7. DJ Clark Kent x Nike Air Max 1 112 (2008)

In 2008, God’s Favorite DJ cracked the code to making any sneaker hot. There was not a single silhouette that was blessed with the instantly iconic combination of black, volt, reflective 3M, and elephant print that did not automatically become a top 10 pair of that particular model. From the Nike Air Trainer 1 to the Nike LeBron 8 to the Nike Zoom Revis, every pair in the short-lived 112 collection by the late DJ Clark Kent never failed to impress. As part of the original trio, including the Air Trainer 1 and Air Force 1, the 112 Air Max 1 was a must-buy even before I knew it existed. Knowing it’s actually real means for an all-too-brief moment, God blessed us with a genius in the sneaker game.

6. Patta x Parra x Nike Air Max 1 Cherrywood (2010)

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of their first store in Amsterdam, founders Edson Sabajo and Guillaume Schmidt brought in friend of the program Piet Parra to help design a sneaker that easily earns its status as a holy grail. Limited to fewer than 300 pairs produced, the collaboration stands tall for its Cherrywood Red suede and mesh upper coupled with a luxurious chenille Swooshes that alternates between burgundy and blue on the lateral and medial side, respectively. The artwork on the insoles highlights the partnership between the three entities for a once-in-a-lifetime collab that may never be topped… unless they dare to retro them in 2030 for the 25th anniversary of Patta Amsterdam.

5. Nike Air Max 1/97 Sean Wotherspoon (2018)

Is it a true Air Max 1? Yes. Is it a true Air Max 97? Yes. Does it ultimately matter what franchise this sneaker technically belongs to? No. This is about having fun and reminding people of the utter insanity of this sneaker’s release when I received dozens of messages from friends who I know have zero interest in sneakers, but were determined to use whatever little connection I had at the time to get a pair. Little did they know that I lied to them and used my remaining cache I had left in order to secure myself a size 11. The reason being that the sneaker’s novelty, a Frankenstein pair that mixes the Air Max 97’s upper (with corduroy!) and the Air Max 1’s tooling was too good to pass up. Sean Wotherspoon’s dream Air Max remains a must-have to this day.

4. Parra x Nike Air Max 1 Amsterdam (2005)

Dutch artist Piet Parra (ever heard of him?) was tapped by Nike to produce an Air Max 1 inspired by Amsterdam. While the use of De Wallen or the Red Light District might turn off a more conservative artist, Parra used the inspiration to great effect, highlighting the deep reds and hot pinks that are prevalent in the area while implementing a perfect contrast with the bright blue that represents De Wallen’s light fixtures. With somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 to 250 pairs made and only a select few above size 11.5, this is a grail among grails.

3. atmos x Nike Air Max 1 Safari (2002, 2016)

Years before countless internet debates about Nike’s decision to bring back classic Dunks and Air Forces flooded the internet, there was the controversial decision to bring back atmos’ classic Air Max 1 Safari with some very noticeable changes. Released a little over a week before Air Max Day 2016, the Safari Air Max 1 retro featured a hairy suede toe box instead of canvas like on the original, a very divisive translucent icy blue outsole instead of gum, and light shades of tan and brown on the upper. The result was a sneaker that captured some of the magic of the legendary 2002 pair, but was different enough that people who owned the original felt like their baby was safe while those who couldn’t care less and just want to own any atmos x Nike Air Max 1 Safari would be satisfied. While the debate will rage on about the business decision to retro sneaker sacred cows, Nike will keep bringing them back as long as they are selling…

2. atmos x Nike Air Max 1 Elephant (2007, twice in 2017)

…and people willingly voting for them to come back. Once again proving the DJ Clark Kent 112 theory that elephant print makes any sneaker better, the atmos x Nike Air Max 1 Elephant returned in 2017 as the winner of a 2016 Vote Back program by Nike. Not only did the atmos Elephant return as a standalone release, but it was also part of a multi-tiered collaboration with Jordan Brand. Just like the atmos Safari retro, there were enough changes to the Elephant retro and the Jordan 3 collab satiated owners of the original, while maintaining the energy of the white and black upper with elephant print and a jade Swoosh.

1. Nike Air Max 1 OG Red and Royal (1987, too many retros to count)

On the shortlist of most important, impactful, and influential sneakers in the entire Nike oeuvre, it’s important to remember that the Nike Air Max, before it was called the Nike Air Max 1, was designed and marketed as a serious running shoe. As technology moved forward and the Air Max franchise grew with each passing year, the Air Max 1 became less of an ongoing concern in the performance space, growing instead to legendary status as a lifestyle silhouette. And yet, no matter what stage of the Air Max 1’s life, the original University Red and Varsity Royal colorways were never more than a few years away from their next retro to satisfy the next generation.

Juan Martinez

From video game journalism to veteran of the sneaker blog era to podcasting about well, everything, Juan is smiling through it all and can't believe this is his life. After recently getting into Formula 1, he now has hot takes about who the greatest driver of all time is. Email: juan@soleretriever.com