- SHARE:
Air Maxes were at one point the pinnacle of comfort, designed for runners in the late 80s and early 90s. While more comfortable types of kicks exist today, this article examines which retro Air Max I find to be most comfortable.
Which Nike Air Max Retro Is The Most Comfortable
The Air Max 90 is the most comfortable retro Air Max with immediate step-in comfort. Opt for a pair of the “recrafted” silhouette (any pair released after 2020) for maximum comfort.
When I think retro Air Max, I imagine models that released between the Air Max 1 and Air Max 98. This range describes an era of kicks that continuously get re-released and has the easiest, most basic types of fits that any sneakerhead can get into.
Other retros from the Air Max line of course exist. However, fans of these models become increasingly more niche as we move into 2000s-era pairs and beyond. The 90s is home to probably the most well-known, important and sought-after releases in the Air Max line. In the 2000s, we start to see more outrageous designs that move away from an easy to wear, “classic” looking Air Max.
With all that said, the Air Max 90 is my top pick for comfort. The kicks are easy on the feet immediately after trying them on and the comfort lasts the duration of the sneaker’s life.
Air Max 1s Are Comfortable
Air Max 1s are a comfy sneaker, although not the comfiest Air Max retro in the line. The fit is slightly on the snug side compared with other models such as the Air Max 90.
Many have the Air Max 1 as their favorite sneaker, and I can’t blame them. In my opinion they are very comfortable!
Compared to a new pair of dunks or some Air Jordan 1s, the comfort on some Air Max 1s is going to feel great! On the other hand, I still think the Air Max 90 beats it in step-in comfort. The Air Max 1 is the first in the line, and as such still had room for improvement. Newcomers might find the sneaker relatively snug compared to the 90 and perhaps require a bit more break-in time. Long term, the AM1 holds up as one of the most comfy Air Max retros though.
How Air Max Compare To Air Force 1s
Air Maxes have a more snug fit and lower profile midsole compared to the Air Force 1. Still, the Air Max was designed as a running shoe vs the AF1 which was designed as a basketball sneaker. Air Maxes should provide a more true fit and less weight than the Air Force 1.
I’m only pointing this out as I get asked this all the time. Sneakerheads want to know how different 1s compare (Jordan 1s, Air Max 1s, AF1s, etc)!
Air Max 90s Are Comfortable
Air Max 90s are considered by many to be the most comfortable retro Air Max. They tend to be less snug than the Air Max 1 while still fitting true to size. The 90s released in 2020 or later sport a slightly softer feeling midsole which puts the comfort over the top!
For me, the Air Max 90 takes it in comfort. It gives us everything the Air Max 1 gives, but with a more forgiving fit and slightly softer midsole with a larger Air unit.
What has really helped the 90 out is the slightly wider fit than the Air Max 1. Additionally, beginning in 2020, Nike started releasing the silhouette in the “recrafted” format which makes them closer to the original build.
The recrafted treatment also includes what I believe to be a softer midsole material. While not as “squishy” as a pair of Ultraboost, the midsole has just a bit more give to it than Air Max 90s released in the 2010s. This combined with a more true-fitting and sleek profile give the sneaker an A+ in looks and comfort.
Air Max 95 and Wide Feet
Some find the Air Max 95 comfortable, but the sneaker has a more rigid and narrow fit than its predecessors in the Air Max line. Wide footers may need to go up a half size.
I personally like the Air Max 95 a lot. It is often included in the Pantheon of legendary Air Max models. It began a look that other Air Maxes would base their design off of, including the segmented Air units in the midsole.
That said, 95s are by default a bit more snug fitting than my favorite, the Air Max 90. While I don’t mind the fit, some find the way these lace up to be uncomfortable, and the sneakers prove to be less friendly to wide-footers than the Air Max 1. Additionally, I’ve seen complaints about the more solid-feeling midsole. Personally, I like the segmented Air units, which are seen in many Air Max models afterwards such as the Air Max Plus.
Nike Air Max 97 comfortability
The Air Max 97 is a somewhat comfortable sneaker. The upper feels a bit comfier than the Air Max 95, but the overall fit and cushioning is stiffer than earlier models in the line thanks to the full-length Air unit.
While your Air Max collection may not be complete without a pair of these, the AM97 does not get my pick for top Air Max comfort. As a matter of fact, even though the uppers feel a bit more plush to me than some 95s, that doesn’t make up for the stiff, heavy Air unit in the midsole.
Full-length Air units seem like a good idea, and they provide nice comfort while standing around. However, when walking, the lack of flexibility in such a design becomes apparent. The flexibility benefit of segmented Air units found on the 95 and Air Max Plus are absent in the AM97 and AM98. When I walk in some 97s, I often feel like I’m clomping around as opposed to stepping lightly.
Honorable Mentions
I’ve added many different Air Maxes to the collection over the years, and while the Air Max 90 is my favorite, many of the models are very comfortable and deserve a shout out as well:
- Air Max BW – This sneaker fits a bit like the Air Max 90 to me and thus is one of the more comfy AM retros out there. I like the big Air unit that’s relegated to the heel and the accommodating fit. The big tongue is a nice touch as well aesthetically, although the upper feels “taller” to me because of this.
- Air Max Light – These kicks originally released in between the AM1 and AM90. The midsole feels a bit more AM1-ish while the upper feels a bit more forgiving than the original Air Max.
- Air Max2 Light – We got a big run of retro colorways of this shoe in 2019. The Max2 Light is intended as a lighter-weight version of the Air Max2 that originally released around 1994-1995. I think these have a simple, easy to rock fit. They do feel a bit clunky compared to the sleek AM90 though.
- Air Max 96-2 – These have a good bit of cushioning and some more futuristic feeling uppers than the Air Max 95. They feel overall similar to the 95 to me underfoot. Luckily, the upper is a bit more forgiving than the 95.
In Conclusion
Don’t get me wrong, the comfort here is all relative. Sure, I prefer the recrafted Air Max 90 to other forms of Air Max retro, but this comes down to the perfect combination of step-in comfort, long term comfort, accomodating fit and flexibility for walking.
One thing to understand about retro Air Max is that the comfort is not going to be up there with a modern runner sporting Boost or React-based cushioning. However, the relative simplicity and more solid level of support make them some of the more comfortable retros out there.
Some will find pairs like the 97 more to their liking. Generally speaking though, something is a bit lost when Nike shoots for things like full-length Air units or more futuristic materials on the upper. The sneaker feels a bit more like a self-contained marketing gimmick to some degree, which is understandable as Nike wants to of course make the “latest” Air Max feel like the newest and most advanced each year. Looking through the lens of these being retros though, it’s easy to see how relative simplicity wins out with the 90.
Shop for Air Max 90s now on eBay