Nike Air Max Day is celebrated on March 26 with a design that made it one of the most iconic sneakers in history. Nike is well-known now, and a lot of its fame is a result of perfect branding. In the Spring of 1972, Nike’s infamous “Swoosh” logo further fortified its brand recognition. The name is an onomatopoeia of the sound when something rapidly passes by you, which makes it the perfect fit for Air Max sneakers which are designed for running.
History of Nike Air Max Day
Blue Ribbon Sports was founded by track-and-field coach at the University of Oregon, Bill Bowerman, and his former student, Phil Knight. Their first retail store opened in 1966 and the Nike brand shoe was launched in 1972. As they expanded, they renamed their company Nike officially in 1978. The growth of the company continued through the decade as it acquired more companies. It wasn’t long until the “Swoosh” brand became synonymous with quality.
As the company grew, so did its styles of sneaks. The Air Max 1 was released on March 26, 1987, and it revitalized the brand just when it was plateauing. It was the first sneaker that featured the Air Max cushioning and had a visible window. It was created by sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield, inspired by art and music of the day, and its design and effectiveness attributed to the shoe’s success.
The original sneaker did well enough to call for a sequel in the form of the Air Max Light, also known as the Air Max II. It was released in 1989 and it was a lightweight version of the original. It still featured a similar aesthetic, yet over time it got overshadowed by flashier silhouettes and designs in the Air Max catalog, like Air Max 95 “Neon” and the Air Max 97 “Silver Bullet”. As it happens, its underratedness made it a prized possession for hardcore sneakerheads.
The popularity of Air Max continued into the 21st century and it was given its own day in 2014 because of its longevity and worldwide appeal. It’s one of Nike’s most successful lines of footwear for over three decades and it’s celebrated with releases of new Air Max sneakers and limited edition styles. It’s a day when fans come together to share their love for the one-of-a-kind shoe.