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The Nike Air Max 1 generally retails for $150, with some exclusive colorways going for $160 or more. However, many pairs seem to disappear as soon as they come out! Here we attempt to unravel what makes the Air Max 1 so hard to find!
Why Air Max 1 Are So Hard To Find
The Air Max 1 releases in very attractive colorways with the release schedule being few and far between. Popular colorways tend to sell out quickly, and less stores carry them.
This sneaker initially sold out and only became
more widely available after a restock.
Shop Air Max 1: eBay
The Air Max 1 is definitely a popular model, but it’s not at the level of hype seen by sneakers like the SB Dunk. Although it doesn’t get talked about as much these days, the sneaker has history behind it and releases in some great colorways.
Dedicated fans and newcomers alike are drawn to the sleek model and all the lore that comes with it. Thus, when a popular colorway drops on the Air Max 1, it tends to be difficult to find.
There are a few reasons for this. Many colorways just look great on the model. So, it makes an attractive shoe even from stock photos on a sneaker site. This creates an easy scenario for the sneaker to sell out. Additionally, not that many different colorways release on the model. Sometimes a few colorways will release at once, and then no new Air Max 1s for a while! Finally, less stores seem to carry them at retail. The occasional colorway will make it’s way onto a site like Finishline, but for the most part I only see them at boutique store sites and Nike.com at retail.
Nike Air Max 1s Were Popular When The Came Out
Tinker Hatfield designed the Air Max 1, which initially released in 1987. It was initially known simply as the Air Max. The design of the Air Max 1 was inspired by the Le Centres George Pompidou in Paris.
is a retro of the original colorway of the Air Max
The sneaker is known for being the first to reveal an Air unit in the midsole. While Air technology had existed in the 80s, Tinker utilized the idea behind the Pompidou Centre’s open design and implanted that onto the Air Max.
The innovative look on the sneaker was so popular that it spawned an entire line of Air Max sneakers. People view this sneaker as a pivotal release that changed the course of history for Nike forever.
Ever since then, the AM1 has released in a plethora of colorways and collaborations. It remains one of the most consistently retro’d Nike models, even though those retros come few and far between, generally speaking. While it’s popularity in the among sneaker collectors comes and goes, it is a classic and as such is never “unpopular”.
Why Nike Air Max 1 Is Popular
A combination of vintage looks, rich history, high profile collabs and limited availability have made the Air Max 1 a consistently popular sneaker model.
The Patta collabs have always been a popular
look on the Air Max 1
Hype is normally the reason a sneaker is difficult to find these days. While the Air Max 1 isn’t a model I would currently consider “hype”, it can still sell out as if it was. So, where does this energy come from?
While the sneaker is an older model, Nike still follows the formula to launch a sneaker to stardom. The AM1 over the last few years has followed a predictable pattern based on Nike’s other successful attempts at bringing models to the forefront.
Step 1 is to revive an old model and launch it in a few limited, great looking collabs. Pairs like the Atmos, Patta and Parra have helped keep the model relevant over the years. The Travis Scott collabs brought some attention to the model as well.
Many fans of the model view the AM1 as an “alternative” to the hype in the context of sneaker collecting. Those that feel that “everyone is rocking Dunks now” can gravitate toward something equally as historic and dope, but “different”.
Vintage looks being in help a lot with an old school runner silhouette like the AM1. The sneaker’s appearance exudes that “old school” late 80s-early 90s look. The model also has the history to back it up, it truly is vintage and relatively unchanged since its initial release in 1987. This blends well with the thrifted, vintage aesthetic trending today. Especially as influencers on social media help proliferate this look.
The sneakers are tough to physically find in stores. They used to release lower price point colorways at various foot site locations (i.e. Footlocker, Finishline, etc). Now, the AM1 releases at higher price points and at fewer stores, mainly boutique sneaker stores. While certain colors of the shoe sell out, thanks to restocks we are still able to get certain colorways at retail on Nike’s website.
Air Max 1s Are Definitely Worth Buying
While the sneaker isn’t always hype, it is on trend with the popular vintage aesthetic in fashion. It makes for a great pickup for collectors thanks to the inherent history and relatively low amount of different colorways that release.
You might think that you can sleep on dope pairs of the model that release. You could be making a mistake in this regard! I can’t count how many times I thought a pair would hit the sales rack, only for it to disappear and reappear later at high resale prices.
My personal opinion is that the sneaker is a bit on the underhyped side. People often fail to appreciate a sneaker with so much built-in history being released in great colorways until it’s too late. Then, all of a sudden, a pair you thought everyone would sleep on turns out to have sold out!
Besides looks, a low amount of releases and rich history, the sneaker is comfortable as well! It has what I would call a basic casual sneaker fit, but the Air Unit helps keep the weight down and the simple build means it fits most feet at true to size. This can vary depending on the materials used and the year of release, and those with wide feet might want to go up a half size. Ultimately, any narrowness should subside as the sneaker conforms to the wearer’s foot shape. Even if they feel a bit snug at first, a shoe widener can help speed along break-in when used carefully.
As you can tell, I’m a fan of the AM1 and definitely recommend getting pairs if you like how they look! Generally speaking, you won’t be disappointed and the colorways they are releasing these days are amazing!
Where To Buy The Nike Air Max 1
Air Max 1s can be tough to find at retail. They mostly sell at boutique type stores rather than the major footsites. You can find AM1s at sneaker boutiques such as Sneakersnstuff, aftermarket sites and of course Nike’s website.
Shop Air Max 1s on: eBay