Quick Facts
- The Nike Air Max 90 Korea Family Reunion is getting a remixed version inspired by the Nike Mercurial Vapor 1, famously worn by Cristiano Ronaldo
- Uses the light synthetic material used on the boot and mimics the wavy design
- Releases May 21, 2026 and retails at $150s
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As a part of the 30th anniversary celebration of the Air Max 95, Nike went global with the Family Reunion Pack, remixing colorways of the silhouette that honored the cities that made the shoe popular. After the Air Max 95’s time in the spotlight, it’s big brother’s turn with the Air Max 90 getting its own Family Reunion collection.
Joining that pack is the Nike Air Max 90 Korea, which draws inspiration from the cleats Cristiano Ronaldo wore decades back. On August 14, 2002, Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut for Sporting CP against Inter Milan wearing the game-changing Nike Mercurial Vapor 1 in a Dark Cinder colorway, an extremely lightweight sneaker that opted to use a thin synthetic material instead of the industry standard kangaroo leather.
That famed sneaker made a return with modern updates for the pitch in 2025 championed by Vini Jr. Now, Nike is celebrating that debut with a rendition of the Nike Air Max 90 that integrates elements of the Mercurial 1 design. Much like the Air Max 95 Korea, the Nike Air Max 90 draws from that groundbreaking debut by implementing the same predominantly black and orange color scheme. The Nike Air Max 90 Korea borrows the synthetic textile upper of the for its build while also implementing its bold, wavy, early 2000s design language across the top half of the upper.
Orange piping lines the black leather mudguard with the arc curving similarly to the heel counter of the legendary boot worn by CR7. Additional pops of orange appear on the leather sockliner and the added leather flip-down tongue inspired by the poisonous bulb of a scorpion. Other details include Korean branding under the folding tongue and on the insoles. A translucent Nike Air heel tag with a Nike football logo slightly obscured and a matching outsole completes the look.
The Nike Air Max 90 Korea Family Reunion releases on May 21, 2026, via Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Releasing in Men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $150. For more Nike Air Max, download the Sole Retriever app.
Devin Robertson is a writer and sneakerhead from Memphis, TN. Outside of sneakers, he enjoys film, comics, and music.
