Nike Air Max 1: the founding sneaker of the Air Max dynasty since 1987

Step into the world of the Nike Air Max 1, the revolutionary silhouette designed by Tinker Hatfield in 1987 that invented the Air Max dynasty and popularised visible Air technology — a Nike innovation that would lastingly revolutionise the sneaker industry. The first sneaker to expose its encapsulated Air unit through a transparent window on the sole, the AM1 has become in over 35 years the mother of all Air Max and a pillar of running heritage and premium streetwear. MTHOR brings together more than 225 authenticated Air Max 1 references — from the OG University Red and Atmos Elephant colourways to the Patta x Air Max 1, Travis Scott x Cactus Jack and Concepts collabs. Every pair passes through our authentication experts before shipping with the MTHOR seal worldwide.

The story of a revolution: Tinker Hatfield, Centre Pompidou Paris, and visible Air

The Nike Air Max 1 adventure begins in 1985 when Tinker Hatfield, young Nike designer (architect by training), visits the Centre Pompidou in Paris and has a revelation in front of Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers' architecture — a building exposing its technical guts (pipes, lifts, structure) on the outside rather than hiding them. He decides to apply this philosophy to the sneaker world by exposing the encapsulated Air technology Nike had been using since 1979 (Tailwind) but which remained hidden in the foam. On March 26, 1987, the Air Max 1 is unveiled: the first sneaker in the world with a transparent window on the sole revealing the Air unit underfoot, in Sport Red / White / Cool Grey finish (the famous "OG Red"). The sneaker is an immediate commercial success — Nike sells more than 100 million Air Max pairs over the next 5 years.

The AM1 then launches the complete Air Max dynasty: Air Max 90 (1990), Air Max 93 (1993), Air Max 95 (1995, by Sergio Lozano), Air Max 97 (1997, by Christian Tresser, first full-length visible Air), Air Max Plus TN (1998), Air Max 270, Air Max 720, Air VaporMax. The AM1 remains absolute collector — the fundamental OG colourways University Red, Royal Blue, Air Maxim, Anniversary Red are regularly re-released by Nike. On the collaborations side, cult drops have marked sneaker culture: Patta x Air Max 1 (since 2009, including the Patta "Hard Shell" 2021 and "Waves" 2017), Atmos Elephant (2007, hybrid sneaker with the elephant pattern from the Air Jordan 3), Concepts, Master x Atmos, SP Tinker paying tribute to the designer.

A unique technology: visible Air unit and Air Sole cushioning

At the core of the Nike Air Max 1 sits the famous visible Air window on the lateral sole — the visual signature that invented the entire Air Max segment. The encapsulated Air unit at the heel contains pressurised air that cushions every impact by compressing then returning to its initial shape (200% energy return compared to classic foam). The multi-layer upper mixes breathable mesh, premium suede, and grained leather — each panel has its role (flex flexibility, lateral support, heel durability). The rubber outsole with waffle pattern (Cortez 1972 heritage) ensures grip on all surfaces.

Three clear benefits for the wearer: (1) exceptional comfort inherited from 35 years of Nike innovation (Air Sole remains one of the best cushioning technologies on the market), (2) timeless design traversing decades without ageing (wearing an AM1 OG Red 2025 stays cool like in 1987), (3) signature cultural status — the visible Air window is immediately identifiable from afar, tribal marker for sneaker enthusiasts.

The standout colourways of the Nike Air Max 1 collection

The Nike Air Max 1 collection at MTHOR covers all cult drops. On the OG classics side, you'll find founding colourways: University Red / Sport Red (the original 1987 colourway), Royal Blue, Anniversary Red, Anniversary Royal, Air Maxim, OG Red. Plus classic variations Cool Grey, Black White, White Black, Triple White, Triple Black, Wolf Grey.

On the major collaborations side, MTHOR brings together: Patta x Air Max 1 (the iconic annual collab with "Waves" 2017, "Hard Shell" 2021, "Monarch" 2022 drops), Atmos x Air Max 1 Elephant (2007, the AM1 / AJ3 motif crossover), Atmos x Air Max 1 Master, Concepts x Air Max 1 Mellow, Travis Scott x Air Max 1 Cactus Jack, SP Tinker ("Schematic" and "Sketch to Shelf"), Nigel Sylvester x Air Max 1, Don C x Air Max 1, Parra x Air Max 1, Stussy x Air Max 1. On the contemporary drops side, the Air Max 1 '86 Big Bubble brings back the oversize Air unit version, and the Air Max 1 SP / LX bring premium capsule drops.

Why buy your Nike Air Max 1 at MTHOR

MTHOR Shop specialises in the sale of authenticated sneakers. Every pair in our Nike Air Max 1 collection goes through a rigorous quality control: we check the Nike box and size label consistency, the mesh, suede and grained leather quality, the side Swoosh precision (dimensions, alignment), the visible Air unit at the heel (transparency, integrity, functionality), the characteristic waffle outsole. For the Patta, Atmos, Travis Scott, Concepts collaborations heavily targeted by counterfeiters, we apply a reinforced protocol: UV lamp and microscope. Every order ships with an MTHOR seal. Learn more about our authentication process.

We offer worldwide signed-for home delivery in 2 to 8 days, real-time tracking via email/WhatsApp, 4x interest-free payment via Klarna or Scalapay, France-based customer service Monday to Friday 9am-6pm, 14-day return. No customs fees on your end.

FAQ — Nike Air Max 1 at MTHOR

How can I verify the authenticity of a Nike Air Max 1?

Every pair is authenticated by our team: (1) the Nike box with exact side sticker (SKU, size, colourway), (2) the inner label with barcode matching the official SKU, (3) material quality (mesh, suede, grained leather), (4) the side Swoosh at normed dimensions, (5) the visible Air unit at the heel (perfect transparency, no abnormal air bubbles), (6) the waffle outsole with Nike pattern. For Patta, Atmos, Travis Scott, Concepts collabs: systematic UV lamp and microscope. Full details here.

What size should I pick for a Nike Air Max 1?

The Nike Air Max 1 fits true to your usual Nike size. If you have other Nike (AF1, Dunk, Air Jordan), stick to the same size. For wide feet, take half a size larger. For Patta collabs which fit slightly small, take half a size larger.

Which Air Max 1 is the most coveted?

The Air Max 1 Patta "Waves" 2017 remains one of the most collector collabs (resale 800-1,500 €). The Atmos Elephant 2007 and the Atmos Master are grails. On the OG classics side: the University Red Anniversary, the Royal Blue Anniversary, the Air Maxim. The Travis Scott AM1 Cactus Jack is also ultra-coveted.

What's the difference between AM1 OG, Anniversary, '86 Big Bubble?

The AM1 OG is the original 1987 version with classic waffle outsole. The AM1 Anniversary (2017, 30 years) is a faithful re-release of the OG. The AM1 '86 Big Bubble (2023) brings back the oversize Air unit from the 1986 prototype that Nike had reduced before retail production (the "Big Bubble" version is bigger and more visible than the OG production).

What box does my pair ship with?

Original Nike box with Air Max 1 marking specific to the colourway. For collabs (Patta, Atmos, Travis Scott, Concepts), dedicated packaging with signature hangtags, multiple laces and special accessories.

What's the delivery time?

Worldwide signed-for home delivery in 2-8 days, real-time tracking via email/WhatsApp.

Will I have to pay customs fees?

No, you won't pay any customs fees. MTHOR covers everything.

Can I return my pair?

Yes. 14 days from receipt in original condition.

Going further

Discover also our Nike Sneakers, Nike Air Max 90, Nike Air Max 95 and Nike Air Max Plus TN collections. To learn everything about quality, check out our authentication process.