Air Max Day lands on March 26 every year — the anniversary of the Air Max 1's debut in 1987 — and Nike treats it as a set piece: one new silhouette, a rotation of retros, and at least one collaboration worth chasing. This year's slate is genuinely packed. Here's every release, ranked by the order you should care about them.
1. Nike Air Liquid Max "Poison Dart Frog" — $230
The flagship of Air Max Day 2026 is the Air Liquid Max, Nike's newest silhouette and the first new Air Max model in a minute worth actually debating. The design uses a point-loaded Air system — targeted cushioning pods across the outsole rather than a single Air bag — inspired by the structure of a poison dart frog. The colorway leans into that: black base, Green Apple and Volt hits, Chrome details. Nike's calling it one of the most comfortable Air Max shoes to date. Available via SNKRS. Style code: IQ7634-001.
2. Nike Air Max 95 Big Bubble "Greedy" — $190
The "Greedy" 95 is one of those releases that earns its name. Originally dropped in 2015 for the shoe's 20th anniversary, the colorway mixes Hyper Turquoise, Solar Red, Bright Mandarin, and Volt across the 95's gradient layered upper — pulling from multiple signature 95 colorways simultaneously. This version adds the Big Bubble tooling Nike has been applying to its 95 retros, upgrading the Air unit to OG 1995 specs. It's the best-looking shoe in this year's lineup. Available via SNKRS for $190. Style code: IU2636-300.
3. Patta x Nike Air Max 1 "Waves" White/Hyper Crimson — $150
Patta's second Waves Air Max 1 for the season drops exclusively through Patta on Air Max Day — no SNKRS release for US buyers. The white/Pure Platinum base with Hyper Crimson Swooshes is the cleaner of the two Waves colorways this season, built for wear rather than the shelf. If you missed the earlier drop or want the subtler take, this is the one. Style code: II7055-100. US buyers will need to ship internationally from Patta.
4. Nike Air Max 1000 x Zellerfeld "Black/Volt" — $TBD
Nike partnered with Zellerfeld — the 3D-printed footwear company behind some of the more interesting experimental drops of the last few years — on a Black/Volt Air Max 1000. It's the most technically interesting collab on the lineup, even if the 1000 has never quite broken through as a cultural sneaker. The construction is the story here. Released via GOAT.
5. Nike Air Max 90 "Infrared Reflective" — $150
Tinker Hatfield's Air Max 90 in its most iconic colorway returns, but with a twist: the white leather base has been swapped for a 3M reflective upper. It's not an OG retro — call it a premium riff. The reflective execution is sharp in practice, even if purists will want the traditional mesh. Available via SNKRS. Style code: IU1055-100.
6. Nike Air Max 95 "Paisley Bandana" — $190
Bandana-print detailing across a Sail/University Red/Sport Green/Volt upper. The 95's panel structure makes it a natural canvas for print-heavy treatments, and the bandana pattern works better here than it would on most silhouettes. Not a grail, but a strong general release. Available via SNKRS. Style code: IQ0620-100.
7. Nike Air Max 95 "Pink Foam" (W) — $190
A restock rather than a new drop. The "Pink Foam" 95 — a women's-specific colorway with a Black/White/Reflect Silver/Pink Foam build — has been cycling back through the rotation regularly. If you missed it before and want it, this is a clean window. Style code: HJ5996-001.
8. Oregon Ducks x Nike Air Max 95 "Deep in the Woods" / "Lumber Yard" — $250 each
The University of Oregon's NIL brand Ducks of a Feather put together two Air Max 95 Big Bubble colorways dropping exclusively on GOAT: "Deep in the Woods" in Fir/Electric Green hairy suede textures, and "Lumber Yard" with woodgrain embossing and wooden lace tips. They're fun, regional, and limited. Style codes: IQ3986-300 (Woods) and IQ3988-001 (Lumber Yard).
The Verdict
The Air Liquid Max is the right call for headline status — it's genuinely new technology, and Nike needed a fresh silhouette after years of heavy 95 and 1 focus. But the "Greedy" 95 is the cop. It's the best-looking shoe on the calendar and the Big Bubble upgrade makes an already strong colorway stronger. If you're only buying one pair today, it's that one.
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