This Alternate ‘Persian Violet’ Nike Air Max BW is a Very Deep Archival Dig

Someone at Nike is definitely putting in some overtime in the search for rare colourways to bring back. Whether it’s referenced on new models or a first-ever retro after 20 years, trainerspotters always appreciate the effort that’s required to trigger an ‘I remember those!’ remark.

Sometimes these old references will go over even the deepest of diggers. Reliable intel reveals this new black leather remix of the Air Max BW ‘Persian Violet’ is in fact an obscure colourway from circa 1994. The leather upper and black midsoles look just about ready to take a pounding. Checking against an old line sheet or foreign Japanese sneaker magazine can definitely confirm this. Which brings in another interesting tidbit of trivia: the occasional LE suffix added to Nike product names on shoe box labels may not actually mean ‘Limited Edition’, but instead a more straightforward abbreviation for ‘Leather’. It remains a point of contention, but nothing like a bit of perpetual rumour and hearsay to keep interest alive for a 30-year-old shoe. Paired with its leather and mesh OG sibling, this could be the ultimate year-round two-shoe rotation.

The Nike Air Max BW in Black/Persian Violet is out now from Nike Japan, so expect global availability to follow.