Release date confirmed for the Nike Air Max BW 30th Anniversary

‘La Classique’ in Paris, ‘Big Windows’ in the UK, 2021 marks 30 years since the Nike Air Max BW was released. This year, Nike are celebrating by re-releasing the once highly-coveted sneaker, rumoured to drop on the 11th September after it's initial retro on the 29th July 2016.

Inspired by the Air Max 90 and the Air Max 180, the Air Max ‘BW’ was first released in 1991 with the promise of providing “Air Even More Max' as emblazoned on the original campaign.

Tinker Hatfield's predecessor to the Air Max 90 is still deemed one of the greatest sneakers of all time, the BW provided all the features that were loved on the '90s iteration, such as the infamous air unit, along with the layered panels and Air Max branding, but on a bigger scale. 

More air, more cushioning, and more attitude; the Air Max BW is being rereleased in its initial bold ‘Persian Blue’ colourway, featuring a strong black and white upper, along with a deep blue rubber sidewall swoosh, and finished off with a satin ankle support and tongue.

Co-signed by the UK grime scene with artists such as Dizzee Rascal wearing a pair of the Air Max BW's on his first album cover ‘Boy In The Corner', as well as Skepta has also called upon the silhouette in a number of collaborations he’s worked on with Nike. 

These projects include his ‘Blacklisted’ PE's as well as his Air Max 97/BW which saw the artist merge the two beloved Air Max silhouettes in 2018, paying homage to Paris which has played a big role in his career.

        Nike Air Classic BW 'Stash'

The famous silhouette is also an important part of Nike’s history, with its 2003 collaboration with New York based artist Josh Franklin AKA ‘Stash’. This now legendary collaboration marked the beginning of Nike’s artist series, which saw the sportswear brand collaborate with artists outside of the music industry, opening the floodgates for artists such as Jeff Staple and Brian Donnelly AKA ‘KAWS’.

        Nike Air Classic BW, 2021

A satin heel cushion and tongue provides comfort and subtle premium accents, blended with the black nubuck eyestays and mudguard to provide long lasting protection in conjunction with a clean white leather panel layered to break up the colour palette.

With the addition of the classic thick rubber Nike swoosh along with ‘Air Max’ branding across the back of the shoe and the enlarged air unit in the heel, the retro meets everything fans of the BW have been waiting for.