With sneakerheads across the world celebrating Air Max Day yesterday, March 26th, I thought I should make a list to commemorate The Top Air Max Sneakers…Of My Lifetime.

The idea to put air into a shoe’s soles was first introduced to Nike by aeronautical engineer M. Frank Rudy in 1979. Rudy would use polyurethane sacs filled with inert gas to accomplish this feat. After several years of trial and error, the first Air Max sneaker was released in 1987. The shoes and technology were an immediate success and Nike has manufactured and sold Air Max sneakers ever since. I’ve had numerous pairs of Air Max sneakers throughout my life and was always a fan. The following is a list of the Top Air Max Sneakers…Of My Lifetime.

10. Air Max 270 (2018)

In 2018 I was at the peak of my sneaker obsession. So when I first started seeing images of the upcoming Air Max 270 pop up on my social media feeds, I knew I had to have them. I was able to secure a pair of the “Dusty Cactus” colorway on the day they released. I was not disappointed. This was a good looking sneaker that was both stylish and comfortable, keeping with the Air Max tradition. Since it’s debut I’ve noticed the 270 gaining popularity with the younger generation. It’s good to see the Air Max legacy being carried on by the kids.

9. Nike Air Max CW (1996)

Time Out! The first entry of what will be a reoccurring theme of this list. 90’s basketball Air Max sneakers. The Air Max CW was the signature sneaker of Chris Weber of Michigan Fab Five and phantom time out fame. This shoe was simultaneously sleek and aggressive just like Weber’s play style. My older brother Lee got the white pair when they first released. I was sick with jealousy. I begged my Mama for the black pair when they came out a few months later. And she came through as always. Love ya, Ma.

8. Air Max 90 (1990)

Initially named the Air Max III upon release, this sneaker didn’t get its current name of Air Max 90 until 10 years later upon its re-release in 2000. The Air Max 90 is an iconic sneaker whose design lends itself very well to numerous color combinations. Most of which look great on the model. However, my personal favorite colorway of this Air Max is one of the originals, the “Infrared” as pictured above.

7. Air Max Penny 1 (1995)

The first signature sneaker of the Orlando Magic’s exciting young point-guard, Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, had the sneaker world captivated upon its release. Much like Penny himself had the NBA world captivated at the time. The shoe was a little flashy and definitely stylish, also a lot like Penny. It looked different than any basketball sneaker at the time and its Phylon support wing on the outer of the shoe would pave the way for the immensely popular Nike Foamposites that would release a few years later. The Penny 1 stands the test of time and nostalgia as the re-release of the “Orlando” colorway (as pictured above) in 2022 sold out immediately at most online vendors.

6. Air Max Plus Tuned (1998)

The Air Max Plus TN was a head-turner of a sneaker. The way the colors faded from the toe back was an innovative addition that made this sneaker stand out against other running shoes of the time. What I remember most about this sneaker is going to Fort Benning in Columbus, GA, to see my high school buddy, Ross, at boot camp. I drove over with my girlfriend at the time. After visiting Ross, we went to the local mall. I saw a pair of Air Max Plus on the shelf in Foot Locker and had to have them.

5. Air Max CB 2 (1994)

Charles Barkley may not have been a role model, but you wouldn’t have known that by how many people wore or wanted his second signature sneaker when it was released in 1994. I was not fortunate enough to get a pair back then. It was too close to the end of the school year for my Mama to shell out that kind of money for a pair of sneakers she knew I would beat to death over the summer. But I did get a pair later in life as an adult in 2015. I remember wearing them to WWE Survivor Series in Atlanta in that same year because they were the Undertaker’s colors.

4. Air Max 97 (1997)

The Air Max 97 was the first model to feature a full length visible air bag that extended into the forefront of the shoe. Inspired by Japanese bullet trains, the Air Max 97 looked fast. And pairs flew off the shelves in the same fashion. The first time I saw a pair was at summer school in my Algebra II class. Luckily the kid didn’t go to real high school with me so I was free to buy a pair of my own and wear them to the first day of school that fall without being a copy cat. I also bought a pair when they re-released in 2017.

3. Air More Uptempo (1996)

Although I’m not entirely sure this qualifies as an Air Max sneaker, I’m including it anyway. It has visible air bags which equals Air Max in my book. This shoe was popularized by Scottie Pippen during the Bulls second 3-Peat run. A shoe with oversized word “AIR” making up the side panels should in all honesty be corny. But the Air More Uptempo was anything but. My best friend, Herndon, was the first person I knew that had a pair. Luckily, we went to different high schools. So I was able to trade him my pair of Cherry Jordan 12’s for a week and be the first kid at my school with the Uptempos and bask in all the glory that came with it.

2. Air Max 95 (1995)

The Air Max 95 was built different. Literally. Designed after the human skeletal system, it was unlike any sneaker before or since. These sneakers spoke to me. And they said, “Wes, you need me…”. I might still have deodorant streaks on my cheek from the way this shoe had me in a headlock. I had a pair in 95 and have bought several pairs in several different colorways throughout the years. But the OG Neon colorway will always be the GOAT.

1. Air Max 1 (1987)

The one that started it all. Back when this sneaker first released it was just called Nike Air Max. This sneaker tops the list because it’s absolutely timeless. It looks good with pretty much everything. Shorts, jeans, khakis. Simple yet stylish, the Air Max 1 stands the test of time and is one of my favorite models of all-time. I have more pairs of Air Max 1s than any other sneaker in my collection. The fact that they’re the top sneaker in my collection means they obviously have to be The Top Air Max Sneakers…Of My Lifetime.