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Updated August 5, 2024: This guide on the best Nike Air Max shoes was updated with new sneaker models to shop for summer and fall.
Nike’s Air Max shoes are a masterclass in what the brand’s sneakers do best: blend technological innovation with fashion, resulting in performance-level comfort for daily wear. Not only does Nike commemorate the game-changing silhouette with its own Nike Air Max Day holiday, but the Nike Air Max 1 Shoe has also been crowned one of Footwear News’ Greatest Shoes of All Time — and the heritage shoe deserves all the fanfare.
Sneaker fiends love a throwback (like the newly re-issued Air Max ’86) and Air Maxes have a lot of history. They’ve been around since the late ’70s, and with that history comes 35 years of new Air tech and sneaker design. The original Air technology — what you might see as the small, clear pocket in the midsole — was designed by a NASA engineer. As legend has it, the former engineer Franklin Rudy brought this bag of pressurized air to Nike, and Nike eventually dropped the first Air sneaker in 1978 at the Honolulu Marathon. Nike continues to evolve the Air Max line with new colorways, fits, and performance technology for athletes and style stars alike.
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Last Air Max Day, the Swoosh surprised fans by dropping the Air Max Dn which featured new Dynamic Air technology. Dn still falls under the Air Max category, however, rather than Air units, it employs two pressurized champers with Air unit tubes, which are tuned to provide higher pressure at the heel, and lower pressure toward the toe. It results in an unprecedented smooth stride that adapts with your step as air flow responds to your transitions.
Of course, Air Max sneaker design originated from Nike designer Tinker Hatfield. Hatfield is credited with designing sneakers such that Air technology was visible in the midsole. Those exposed air pockets make for a bouncy response when the foot hits the ground — it’s flexible, so it moves under pressure and then restores its original form on release. Nike Air units are virtually indestructible, too, which means you can put all the pressure in the world on it, and it won’t budge.
The shoe’s Air tech and fashion-forward aesthetic are hugely popular among sneaker lovers of all kinds, and many new iterations of the sneaker sell out as soon as they launch. Whether you’re a long-time Air Max fan looking to grow your collection or you’re a novice looking to step your toe into classic Nike hertiage, look no further than our roundup of the best Nike Air Max shoes of 2024.
Today, the iconic sneaker reigns as one of the Greatest Shoes of All Time, according to Footwear News. “They were always done in amazing colors and materials,” said Derek Curry, owner of Sneaker Politics, on the evolution of the Air Max. “The sleek timeless design makes it easy to wear with just about anything. The AM1 was released in a color option that was unheard of at that time and it changed the way that Nike showed off their technology. Air became a movement and still is a big part of sneaker culture to this day.”
What testers say: “I hurt my foot and ankle and didn’t like the looks of most of the recommended orthopedic shoes. These sneakers not only look good but they are very comfortable! I am able to wear them without a heel pad and without pain for hours.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $111.97
Size range: Men’s 6 to 16
Special features: Tuned Air
Celebrity fans: Kendall Jenner, Sophia Richie, Vanessa Hudgens, Kaia Gerber
Popular collaborations: Paris Saint-Germain, Swarovski
Best for: Athleisure
What testers say: “Amazing! I have feet issues and I find these to be very comfortable to wear. I can walk and wear them all day. I now own three pairs of them and will continue wearing them. I love these sneakers so much.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $135.97
Size range: Men’s 6 to 16
Special features: Waffle outsole,
Popular collaborations: Paris Saint-Germain, Swarovski,
Best for: Walking and running
What testers say: “Super dope shoe. Love the big bubble and love the color way. I get lots of compliments when I’m sporting these. As far as sizing, they are true to size. Grabbed a 11.5 women’s, which equates to a 10 men’s.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $150
Size range: Men’s 3.5 to 10.5; women’s 5 to 12
Special features: Dynamic Air
Best for: Walking
What testers say: “LOVE! When I buy sneakers, my choice is based on function first, then looks. The Dn check all the boxes! Working in the industry as an athlete, I’m walking the floors on average eight hours daily and these do exactly what I need them to do — while looking cute in the process.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $160
Size range: Men’s 6 to 15; women’s 5 to 12
Special features: Waffle sole
Celebrity fans: Lady Gaga, Kendall Jenner, Emrata, Scarlett Johansson, Kylie Jenner
Popular collaborations: Kaws, Huff, Off-White, Atmos
Best for: Wearing every single day
What testers say: “These shoes are a classic! I’m probably on my sixth or seventh pair of these since the 90’s. They still feel and look great!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $130
Size range: Men’s 6 to 15; women’s 5 to 12
Special features: 270-degree Air unit
Celebrity fans: Lucy Hale, Anya Taylor Joy, Morgan Stewart, Kaley Cuoco
Popular collaborations: Travis Scott
Best for: Athleisure
What testers say: “Nike Air Max 270s are one of my favorite shoes for style, comfort, and fitness. This is the third pair in my collection and I’ll probably wear them for the rest of my life!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $136.97
Size range: Men’s 3.5 to 15; women’s 5 t o 12
Special features: Full-length Air cushioning
Celebrity fans: Hailey Bieber, Vanessa Hudgens, Halsey, Kaia Gerber
Popular collaborations: UNDEFEATED, Skepta
Best for: Serving vibes
What testers say: “It feels like I’m walking on clouds! I love these shoes! They are trendy, chic and SO comfortable.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $142.97
What testers say: “There are classic athletic shoes with great arch support. They are a little snug across the ball of my foot but still very comfortable. I plan to wear them for everyday walking and travel. When purchasing any Nike athletic shoes I always order a half size larger than my normal size 9.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $76.97
Special features: Flyknit uppers
Celebrity fans: Alessandra Ambrosio, Vanessa Paradis
Popular collaborations: Off-White, Acronym
Best for: Walking
What testers say: What’s not to love? These shoes are comfortable, styluish, practical, and super wearable for hours on end. I’m not a huge Nike fan, however these had me from first look. It’s like walking on clouds.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $210
Special features: Pull tab and heel clip
Popular collaborations: Who Decides War
Best for: Wearing to work
What testers say: “I’m obsessed with these shoes! This is my first day wearing them, and I’ve already gotten so many compliments. The comfort level is also impressive — not cushiony but very supportive with no areas that cause pain. Love them and highly recommend!!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $87.97
Size range: Men’s 3.5 to 15; women’s 5 to 16.5
Special features: “Point-loaded” Air unit, Flyknit chenille upper
Best for: Street style
What testers say: “The best Air Max sneakers I have ever owned! This last pair is now my third pair. I have achilles tendinitis with a spur heel and the design of this shoe does wonders for me! I also will add that they are very stylish. Looking forward to more color combinations in the near future.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $250
Size range: Men’s 3.5 to 10.5; women’s 5 to 12
Special features: Platform sole, quilted upper
Best for: Walking
What testers say: “While these may not be the usual type of shoe I go for, the Air Max Portals did not disappoint. Super comfortable shoe while also being super stylish. The perfect go-to shoe to pair with jeans for a night out or to pair with a sundress for a more casual day look.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $110
The History of Air Max Sneakers
The Nike Air Max sneaker line has only grown taller and wider since Nike first launched the original Tailwind back in 1979 and since Tinker Hatfield designed the original Air Max 1 in 1987. Franklin Rudy, a former NASA engineer, brought the Air pocket technology to Nike, but it was Hatfield who put it on display. Hatfield designed the Air Max 1 to not just use Air technology but actually to show it off. In his design, you’d be able to see through a window into the pocket of air built into the shoe. That visible air pocket is what most people will recognize today.
Over the years, the Air Max 1 has been played with, reimagined, and redesigned, and other Nike designers have used the Air pockets in their own ways. Sergio Lozano, for example, designed the Air Max 95 to look like a human skeleton overlayed with muscle tissue, and he dropped Air pockets into both the front and back of the shoe. Today, the uppers are getting remade to be stretchy and flexible, made with recycled fabrics, or done over with collaborations from some of fashion’s best minds.
What to Look For in Nike Air Max Sneakers
- Fit: When assessing comfort and fit, pay attention to the feel of the Nike Air Max shoes on different parts of your foot. For example, you should have enough room between your toes and the toe box to flex and spread out your toes comfortably without feeling jammed. Additionally, look for a Nike Air Max sneaker with an upper that resembles your foot shape and doesn’t rub or pull. Nike’s Air line tends to fit on the narrow side, so if you have wide feet, take a half size up.
- Material: Air Maxes span the range of upper materials, so it’s buyer’s choice. For a casual shoe to wear to work, you can go with a synthetic leather, suede, mesh, or a combo. For walking and other athletic endeavors, look for FlyKnit uppers.
- Usage: Many of these shoes were originally designed for running, and you can still get in a good workout with most of them. However, Nike has leaned into Air Max sneakers as lifestyle shoes in the past few years. We recommend them mostly for low-impact movement like walking.
- Foot type: If you have any foot conditions, such as flat feet or high arches, make sure to look at the construction of the shoe. For example, the Air Max Excees are great arch-support shoes, while the Air Max 270 and the Air VaporMax Plus shoes are excellent walking shoes for plantar fasciitis.
How We Selected and Reviewed the Best Nike Air Max Sneakers
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
To select the best Nike Air Max sneakers, our editors polled our sneaker community, tested many styles over time, and scoured online reviews to compile real customer feedback. The result is a researched list of 12 of the best Nike Air Max sneakers for men and women. Many of them are classic, year-round favorites, but we closely vetted new iterations to ensure that we gave our readers the best selection of Nike Air Max sneakers. And since no shoe is perfect, we were also transparent about some of the things that give us pause or specific conditions you should definitely not use each model in. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Authors
Christine Flammia writes about style, grooming, and more; she is the former associate style editor of Esquire and is currently pursuing a PhD in communications at Columbia. When Flammia is not at school, she can be found in the gym testing the latest and greatest Nike workout sneakers. And when she’s in school, it’s AF1s all day.
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She updated this guide for the best Nike Air Max Shoes in 2024 with new releases to shop from the Swoosh.
