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Lightweight running sneakers are all the craze right now, and it's just not just because they look good. It's because they're comfortable. And when it comes to Nike runners, there's nothing that trumps the Air Max series. Nothing.
A quick trip to your local sneaker spot, and you'll see the new Air Max series, which will always give you sticker shock, and you'll also notice more than enough retroes from years past. There are Air Max 1s, 90s, 95s, 97s, 2009s, and more. Some might think that Nike only produced Air Maxes in certain years. That's completely untrue, and some of the best models are the most forgotten about. Have you ever seen a pair Air Max 98s? They're one of the best in the series, and they need to come back—right now.
But they're not the only ones that haven't seen the light of day in some time. There's a whole list of them, and we'd love to see them in stores today. Here are Air Max Runners That Need to Be Retroed Right Now.
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Air Max Deluxe
The Air Max Deluxe was first released in 1999, and hasn't been brought back since. This is where we insert our sad faces. Even if you do have a pair on ice, by now the sole has started to separate from the upper. And it's depressing.
The sneaker's multi-colored upper and full-length air was set off with a bunch of tiny 3M hits, which made the Deluxes literally shine. Did we mention how comfortable these sneakers were? The padded tongue hugged your foot, and the bubble had the actual 25psi rating. Something that is also long gone from Nike's repertoire.
Air Max 93
The Air Max 93 is a sneaker that has been retroed before, but it hasn't been since 2006, which doesn't seem like that long ago, but is seven years. By now, our History of Air joints are beat. There are plenty of great color schemes that this sneaker came in, and its bootie upper would fit-in with the Flyknit Frees that just dropped.
Needless to say, if you could find these on the shelves of your local Foot Locker, and they had decent quality and a good-sized bubble, you'd cop with the quickness.
Tailwind Kenya
We know, the Air Tailwind '92 came back in 2009, and we purchased every color scheme that we could get our hands on—and for cheap, too. But Nike didn't release the most infamous make-up of the sneaker: the "Air Kenya."
Done-up in the colors of the Kenyan flag, the sneakers also featured "Kenya" on the heel, and are fitting for a nation that has produced so many high-caliber marathon runners. So, Nike, will you bring these back? Even if it's a quickstrike release? Thanks.
Nike Air Max Triax '96
1996 was a big year for American sports. The Olympics were held in Atlanta, and Michael Johnson was killing it on the track. To commemorate this occasion, Nike released USA-colorway sneakers, and the Air Max Triax '96 was one of them.
These days, the Triax '96 looks very simple, especially compared to the sneakers that would shortly follow it. But that's the beauty of it, and why we want it to come back.
Air Max 96
The Air Max 96 fell in a weird spot in the Air Max legacy: right between the 95 and 97, two of Nike's most iconic running sneakers. So, it often gets forgotten, or released in awful mash-ups.
However, Nike has never retroed the Air Max 96 in its original form, and with the popularity of its cousin, the Air Max 95, we don't see why people wouldn't want a pair of these, too.
Air Max 96 SE
Even more obscure than the Air Max 96 is its second edition, or the Air Max 96 SE. It's tough even finding images of these sneakers online, so you know very few people have it in their collection currently.
The sneaker features the same cushioning set-up as the 95 and 96 before it, but with a slightly tweaked and sportier upper. They only came in a handful of color schemes, and if only one or two were re-released, we'd be happy campers.
Air Max 360
You can thank the comfort of Air Max 2013 to the Air Max 360, which released in 2006. The aesthetic of the sneaker continued the Air Max tradition, but it beefed-up the all-encompassing Air Max unit. And while it wasn't nearly as comfortable as any of the Air Max series from 2009 to current, everyone loved the extra bounce and cliche feeling of "walking on clouds" that it gave the wearer.
For nostalgia's sake, and the factor of people saying, "OMG, those are back again?" We'd love to see a retro of the grey and red color scheme. And if Nike was feeling generous, any of the Air Max mash-ups that the 360 sole provided.
Air Max 2003
The Air Max 2003 really isn't that special when it comes to Air Max runners, but that doesn't mean it's wack by any standards. It saw an early retro in 2006, when Nike was re-releasing every Air Max sneaker at a furious pace. But has since disappeared. It features a full-length air bubble, simple upper, and sure as hell looks like the Air Max 2013, if only slightly.
You probably destroyed your pair at college as your party sneakers, or somewhere between after school and lacrosse practice. While we don't want to bring back the other style trends of '03, like baggy cargo shorts, these sneakers would be a must.
Air Max 98
The Air Max 98 is one of the most unique designs from the legendary running shoe line. While it never had the significant following of the Air Max 90 or Air Max 95, nor did it have the undeniable neck-breaking original colorway of the Air Max 97, it did have a dedicated following.
Imagine coming up when the 95 was introduced, of course you wanted it. Then the 96 came and was overshadowed by both its predecessor and its follower in the family. Then along comes the Air Max 98, full-length Air Max and a more refined style, with traditional colors, as opposed to the silver of the 97. The Air Max 98 is a statement. I know my shit but i don't need to flaunt it. With all the chaos in the world of sneakers today, it's no wonder these still have a cult-like following.
Air Max 2 Light
The Air Max Light saw a strong run with limited release from the likes of JD Sports, but the Air Max Light 2 never was given the same opportunity, and anyone who has a pair right now is afraid to break them out.
The Air Max Light 2 came out in '95, and features a similar Air Max unit as the Air Max 95, but with the upper of a lighter-weight running sneaker. The color schemes it was released in were pure flames, but any pair worn these days is sure to crumble on pavement contact. That's why we'd love to see them in 2013.
Air Max 2
The Nike Air Max 2 isn't nearly as popular as the Air Max 1, and that's parly because it has never been re-issued. But it featured the "squared" Air Max unit on the heel, and, in 1994, this would be a proto-type for the looming Air Max 95, which would change the running game.
The sneaker is a mix between the Air Max 93 and the Air Max 95, and it is kind of ugly, but in the best kind of way. It's chunky, doesn't have a movable tongue, and its side panels remind us of the Aggro Crag. Which is another part of our past we'd love back.
