The History of the Nike Air Max 96

1996

Sergio Lozano designed the Nike Air Max in 1996. A year prior, Lozano had designed the Air Max 1995. The 1995 was a tremendous success and featured an off the wall design. Expectations were high for the 96. Four colorways of the Air Max 96 were originally released. Two styles for men, and two styles for women. The 1996 is an overlooked style, possibly because the 1995 was such a trailblazing shoe, and released just a year prior. The 1996 has not had the heavy rotation of retro releases like so many other Air Max models have.

Tech

The 1996 is similar to the 1995 in terms of construction and technology. The 96 used utilized multi-density visible Air cushioning in the heel and forefoot. There is tooth like lines of the mesh and synthetic leather upper. A number of exciting and impressive colorways were made.

Air Max Franchise

Tinker has played a key role in creating, and sustaining, lines and series for Nike. He played a critical part in allowing the Air Jordan franchise to remain relevant and still reinvent itself for decades now. Tinker knocked the ball out of the park with the Air Max 1, and he knew he could not strike out with the Air Max 90. Like he consistently did with the Air Jordan line, Tinker pushed the Air Max 90 into new places of design and technology. The Air Max series is an important piece of the Tinker Hatfield legacy.