Ranked by You: The All-Time Greatest Nike Air Max

You can't deny the genius behind Nike's Air Max line, having changed the footwear landscape with their visible tech midsole units. And while decades have passed since the invention of Air, many of the models still boast cult-like followings in the 2020s. Originally kicking off in 1978 with Frank Rudy and the Tailwind, the Air Max lineage has even added another silhouette in 2024 with the Air Max DN.

Every single Air Max in the wide catalogue has its own unique story to tell, but when it comes to ranking them, there are a few obvious favourites. To help celebrate Air Max Day, we put sixteen of the best Air Max models in a head-to-head battle where only one could be crowned the winner.

Here are the all-time greatest Air Max, ranked by you!

Eliminated First Round

The Nike Air Vapormax stood no chance against the all-powerful Air Max 1, and the Air Max DN still has a long way to go before it becomes a beloved classic, so it was beaten by a landslide by the cult-classic Air Max BW.

These models got the boot in Round 1:

• Nike Air Vapormax (2017)
• Nike Air Max 360 (2006)
• Nike Air Max 2 (1994)
• Nike Air Max 96 II (1996)
• Nike Air Max 93 (1993)
• Nike Air Max DN (2024)
• Nike Air Max 96 (1996)
• Nike Air Max 98 (1998)

Eliminated Second Round

Despite an imminent OG-build revival, the Air max 180 was no match for the Air Max 1. The battle between the Air Max 95 and TN was a close call, with the 95 coming out on top by only 548 votes – it was also the match-up with the most views.

The hopes of these models were popped in Round 2:

• Nike Air 180 (1991)
• Nike Air Max 2 Light (1994)
• Nike Air Max BW (1991)
• Nike Air Max Plus (1998)

Eliminated Third Round

The match up between the AM95 and AM90 was another close one, with the latter pair winning with a close 58 per cent of the votes.

The air was taken out of these models in Round 3:

• Air Max 97 (1997)
• Air Max 95 (1995)

Eliminated Fourth Round

The grand final saw the Air Max 1 battle against the Nike Air Max 90 (1990), and while some might think this would be a nail-biting finish, the AM1 smashed the 90 out of the comp with a whopping 70 per cent of the votes.

Winner

The people have spoken, the Nike Air Max 1 (1987) is the all-time greatest! Could you have predicted this winner? We would be surprised if anything else took the top spot, tbh. The legendary Air Max 1 is where visible Air all started, so it's only fitting that it beat every other Air model by a landslide.

Keep up to date with everything Air Max here!