Image: Nike

Nike will pay homage to the original Air Max 1 on Air Max Day, which is held every year on March 26. The first pair of the legendary shoes was released 35 years ago, and to commemorate the occasion, new colorways have been created. Each region of the globe will have its own color scheme and design. The first Air Max Day took place in 2014, and each year since then, Nike has made the event bigger and better. The 26th of March is a day for sneakerheads to show off their favorite pair of Air Max shoes. Nike also uses this opportunity to announce big-name drops and other big-ticket items.

Three exclusive Air Max Day designs will be available this year. The Air Max 1 ‘Blueprint’ will be released in North America, while the Air Max 1 ‘La Ville-Lumière’ will be released in Europe, and the Air Max 1 ‘Wabi-Sabi’ will be released in Latin America and Asia.

Air Max 1 ‘Blueprint’

Image: Nike

The Air Max 1 ‘Blueprint’ pays homage to Tinker Hatfield’s original Air Max designs. Hatfield was hired by Nike as a collaborative architect, and his blueprints were quickly incorporated into the first pair of Air Max. The Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris influenced him. Its piping, ducts, and structural elements were all displayed prominently. The Air cushioning bubble visible on the sole of the Air Max has since become Nike’s signature.

Hatfield’s architectural roots, the drafting grid, are referenced in the 2022 iteration, which features tonal blue hues combined with several shades of white and a series of grid patterns. These lines run through the tongue of the shoes, while the Swoosh logo repeats asymmetrically on the medial side. Each shoe has a globe logo on the heel and blue satin on the lateral side.

Air Max 1 ‘La Ville-Lumière’

Image: Nike

The Air Max 1 ‘La Ville-Lumière’ pays homage to Paris for European fans. The name even translates to “City of Light,” which is how the French capital is known. The shoe’s design is the most subdued of the three. Iridescent materials are used to create the shoes, which reflect the concept of light. Light will flicker with white, grey, and navy shades as it hits the sneakers. A “3.26” keychain, representing Air Max Day, is included with the ‘La Ville-Lumière, completing the Europe-only release.

Air Max 1 ‘Wabi-Sabi’

Image: Nike

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese concept that encourages us to appreciate beauty in all of its forms, including flaws. The idea is exemplified in this Latin America exclusive by contrast stitching across mismatch panels in the uppers. On the tongue, there are asymmetrical tags, a cracking effect on the midsole, and a smirking smiley face on the heel of each shoe.

The 26th of March is Air Max Day. GOAT and Flight Club have more Air Max Day sneakers. To learn more about this year’s edition of the most coveted sneakers event, click on the Air Max Day 2022 guide.