Highly anticipated, Air Max Day is an important annual event for the brand Nike as well as for sneaker enthusiasts. Indeed, it celebrates the launch of the Nike Air Max 1 released on March 26, 1987, and was established during an OG reissue of the first silhouette in 2014.
A symbolic day, the Swoosh brand now honors each Air Max Day with the introduction of retro or new releases and brings together lovers of the silhouette for a day. Following a live broadcast on Friday, March 25, 2022, titled “Live From Archive,” Jamie Paige, head of Nike's product line, and designer Jonathan Kosenick, exclusively unveiled a Nike Air Max 1 ‘86 “Big Bubble” for 2023.
Introduced in 1986, this forgotten prototype makes a comeback and allows for a correction of the history of the iconic silhouette by Tinker Hatfield. Announced for next spring, it already seems to be a must-cop, and patience will be required for the official announcement of its release. To compensate for this already endless wait, we have prepared an article that traces the history of this coveted Nike Air Max 1.
The Beginning of Nike “Air” Technology
While Nike Air technology is present on this retro silhouette, it has actually been introduced since 1977, nine years earlier. Indeed, Tinker Hatfield's flagship silhouette is not the first to be equipped with this innovation. Frank Rudy, an aerospace engineer for NASA, approached Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman, the co-founders of Nike, at that time. His goal was to introduce a technology that he believed would be innovative and would bring a real change to running models. Developed by him, it consists of inserting a plastic inert gas capsule into the sole of the shoe to hope for and provide better cushioning for athletes. Eager to establish themselves in the running world, the co-founders see the potential of this technology and quickly complete the first silhouette of the Nike Tailwind in 1978.
Like other models, it will no longer be equipped with foam, a material in which the sportswear brand has particularly invested to offer high-performance and comfortable models. Thus, as true visionaries, Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman perceive the future potential of this technology against other competitors who do not believe in Frank Rudy, which subsequently allowed for the introduction of the Nike Air Max 1 ‘86 “Big Bubble”.
The Origins of the Nike Air Max 1 ‘86 “Big Bubble”
Nine years later, the American equipment manufacturer is far from its peak. The competition with brands in the market such as Adidas and Reebok is tough, and Rob Strasser, vice president of Nike, has no choice but to make a big move. With a dwindling financial situation, the brand must convince and innovate to hope to become the market leader in running.
Thus, hope is quickly placed on a new silhouette that must be unparalleled, equipped with an unmatched style and performance to ensure the future of the company. To meet this heavy task, the sportswear brand teams up with Tinker Hatfield, a young architect graduated from the University of Oregon.
While traveling in Paris, he has the opportunity to visit the Pompidou Center, and a revelation occurs as he discovers this superb Parisian architecture. Indeed, the young architect has the brilliant idea of making the Air technology visible by inserting an air bubble inspired by one of the windows that covers the Parisian building. Truly invested and wishing to propose a composition intended solely for running, he inserts a generous Air-Sole unit and completes it with a stunning red colorway to quickly catch the eye, giving birth to the splendid Nike Air Max 1 ‘86 “Big Bubble”.
However, the prototype is made on a sole that is too wide, leading to a puncture of the air cushion. Thus, the sole is immediately reduced to a more standard size that we know today, and this first original silhouette is placed in the archives. Released in 1987, the Air Max 1 is quickly adored by athletes, resulting from a long effort and a huge challenge, and becomes the “first variation.”
A Story of Bubble and Air for 2023
37 years after the existence of this prototype, a silhouette that closely resembles it is seen again. Appearing during a livestream broadcast just before Air Max Day and presented by DJ Sneakerhead on the SNKRS app with Jamie Paige and Jonathan Kosenick, the sample was shown to explain the development behind the revamped AM1. During this stream, they noted that it is a meticulous process, a huge challenge that took more than three years to develop to recreate the retro configuration while bringing modern manufacturing techniques.
With the technological advancements of the American giant and its worldwide reputation, it features a superb white mesh upper with gray and red overlays that provide a flawless finish. Following this exclusive and unexpected revelation, will this variant achieve true success? Will it be announced for the next Air Max Day? All eyes are now on Nike, which has teased a true marvel for the year 2023.
