Nike Air Max 95 OG ‘Crystal Blue’

Realised once again in its OG form, Nike’s iconic Air Max 95 returns this season in their coveted ‘Crystal Blue’ colourway.

Back in 1995, Nike saw an opportunity to shift the direction of the performance sneaker market at the time. With so much focus on basketball, partly down to the domination of Michael Jordan’s signature line, the brand’s Air Max family needed a fresh perspective and Nike brought in ACG designer Sergio Lozano to spearhead the project. Lozano positioned the revolutionary Air Max 95 project as a means to recapture the public’s attention towards visible air.

Inspiration for the Air Max 95 came to him one rainy day in Nike headquarters’ home of Beaverton, Oregon: “I was looking across the lake out into the trees and I began picturing the process of rain eroding the earth and thought it would be interesting if the perfect product was unearthed by erosion,” says Lozano. The final shoe had an upper with layered panels that resembled muscle fibres and flesh, Nylon eyelets that were fashioned after ribs, a midsole that took after the spine, and a gradient that resembled geographical striations of eroded rock walls. A black midsole and the now-iconic grey upper was paired with a number of coloured accents, including Nike’s signature ‘Volt’ and the returning ‘Crystal Blue’. Initially considered an outcast among Air Max silhouettes, the 95 gained a cult following thanks to its unapologetic appearance, and youth culture soon rallied behind the Air Max 95 and the Air Max franchise blossomed into a style staple.

Fast-forward to 2018 and the Air Max 95 is making a return dressed in it’s original ‘Crystal Blue’ colourway. The layered upper takes on the white to black gradient which merges seamlessly into the black midsole. Underfoot the Air unit takes on the ‘Crystal Blue’ tone, alongside the nylon eyelets and signature mini Swoosh on the heel. A nice original touch on these latest reissues has been the addition of PSI measurements on the soleplate, and this is also the first time arch supports have been included in a release.

The Nike Air Max 95 OG ‘Crystal Blue’ will be available via the size?Previews App and in size? stores on Friday 21st December priced at £130.