Celebrate Air Max Day With the Nike Air Max 1 'Wabi-Sabi'

In the 35 years since Nike first released Tinker Hatfield's groundbreaking Air Max 1 — the first shoe to showcase visible Air technology — it's become an icon: a seminal piece of the Swoosh's design lineage, a collaborative centrepiece and a beloved silhouette that's been adopted by subcultures the world over. Air Max Day 2022 is all about celebrating the Air Max 1's legacy, and the key piece of this year's celebration is the ​ Air Max 1 'Wabi-Sabi.'​

A release inspired by the ancient Japanese practice of wabi-sabi, an acceptance of transience and imperfection, the Air Max 1 'Wabi-Sabi' is intentionally imperfect, spotlighting the small errors that make hand-crafted items so beautiful. This is communicated by the leather and suede overlays that sit atop its canvas upper, each of which is secured by thick white stitching. There's also a red 'XXXV' hit chain-stitched on the lateral heel, an overt nod to the Air Max 1's 35th anniversary – and warped mini Swooshes on the lateral forefoot.

The special 'Wabi-Sabi' detailing continues on the tongue, with a rectangular-shaped 'pocket' that enables the wearer to display a number of interchangeable tongue badges. A smiley 'Have a Nike Day'-style Swoosh graphic is cut out of the heel overlay, and the midsole features trompe l'oeil graphic prints that make it look as if it's cracking. Gum outsoles round off the look, and the shoes come packaged in a special box.

Expect the Nike Air Max 1 'Wabi-Sabi' to release on March 26 (Air Max Day) via APAC and Latin America SNKRS sites with an MSRP of $150. A global release may follow in later weeks.