Nike's Latest Air Max 97 Celebrates the Father of Air Technology
Never near replica, the Air tech is among the best in the game, and the Nike Air Max 97 honors that vision and the likes of M. Frank Rudy. The Nike Air Max would not have existed without the iconic air technology that was first developed in 1977 by Marion Franklin Rudy, an Aerospace Engineer. Marion Franklin Rudy, Aerospace Engineer.
Created by legendary sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield, the Air Max 1 was the first shoe released by Nike to feature the brands air technology, featuring a visible window on the sole. Later, in 1987, Nike designer Tinker Hatfield introduced the view window in the sole, so customers could experience the magic of walking on air. Then, the big moment in his inspirational history and evolution came in 1987, when Tinker Hatfield designed the groundbreaking Air Max 1 sneakers, which featured a visible air-window.
Little did Nike know, thanks to Marion Rudys technique and Tinker Hatfields 1987 design, an icon would come into being (more about that shoes story in a bit). Nike changed the shoe landscape forever thanks to the innovative inventions Nike made, giving the sneaker world its revolutionary Air Technology and Air Max sneakers. Designs such as Cortez, Dunk, and the Air Jordan 1 have forever linked him to the dynamic, performance-driven world of sports shoes.
The shape of the shoe has kindly accommodated all the latest technology from Nike, such as the Flyknit upper, Hyperfuse, and Lunarlon sole. Not only is the Air Max 97 Nikes first sneaker to feature a full-length air, but it serves as the line-wide introduction to the Air Max, twenty years after it was originally introduced in 1997. The most amazing thing about The Air Max 97 right now is not just how it survived to put a solid stamp on the Nike archives, but also how it is also turned into one of the best sneakers from the brand this year - and nobody saw it coming. The Air Max 97 sold out immediately, and while it is not fetching massive amounts in the resale market -- the sneakers current value is $241, when it retailed for $180 -- it is proof that Nike could again tap into the storytelling arts and create shoes that resonated with consumers.
Every March 26, Nikes commemorates the anniversary of the Air Max 1 release with the drop of tons of limited-edition sneakers. Such is the history of this style, Nike declared March 26th, the date of its prototype launch, to be the day for the Air Max, in order to commemorate this shoe and launch their newest models. The second holiday of the month in March is a time to celebrate an iconic style of sneakers while reminiscing about its history, but is also a time for Nike to drop some of their more sought-after limited-edition releases, as well as some special deals for scoring. In addition to the launch of a handful of new styles of Nike Air Max that you may want to hype up, Nike is hosting a virtual event throughout the day, which includes creative workshops, inspiring panels, special guest appearances, and music performances.
Perhaps the most memorable of these signature sneakers styling events was back in 2017, when Nike invited about a dozen creatives called Revolutionairs from around the globe to come up with and reinvent the next airmax style as part of a Vote Forward campaign. To honor the late engineer, just as Nikes Air did with the Air Max 90 and Air Max Plus, Nike is also set to launch a special edition version of the Air Max 97 (among others). The retro aesthetic of the pre-Day Air Max honors Nikes history, but it nods towards the future by using sleek silhouettes to showcase Nikes air-technology. To honor the man behind the groundbreaking, Nike Sportswear released a two-tone memorial colorway of the Nike Air Max 97 in the colorway of M. Frank Rudy earlier this year, and is now following with another rendition of a vibrant, retro-inspired colorway. The next installment of this pair comes with a Summit White Canvas body, topped with a wraparound, tan leather mudguard.
Collaborators such as Stussy and Social Status took shots at the original Air Max Penny, but fans still preferred the #1 laced up on court throughout its NBA tenure. On this date 35 years ago, Nike unveiled the first sneakers made with Air Max technology, offering a brilliant energy return with excellent rebounding on every step. Historically, March 26 is the day the Nike Air Max Sneaker was invented, the shoe that is created an entire subculture and collectors community through its groundbreaking concept, where customers could walk on air, and watch it happen, via a window to the sole they were walking on. Of the sneakers that fall under Nikes Jordan brand umbrella, the first four Air Jordan models and the Air Jordan 11 are generally considered to be the most significant.
The reason why the Air Max 97 is having a moment now is not simply that Nike is pouring proper energy into sneakers, though partnering with Skepta, Undefeated, the global release this week, and an upcoming Virgil Abloh project certainly helps. With colors inspired by a scene from cooking everyones favorite grease-filled breakfast mainstay, the VaporMax Evo is a snazzy new release that is well worth the hype.
Back in 1978, Marion Frank Rudy (1925-2009), an engineer at NASA, introduced Nike founder Phil Knight with the innovative idea to incorporate an air component into a sneakers midsole. In 1978, Nike launched Tailwind -- the first shoe with an air cushioning system inside its sole.
