In celebration of the shoe’s 30th anniversary, Nike has commanded a good share of attention this year through numerous releases of the Air Max 95. From the return of the original “Neon” colorway with Big Bubble proportions to this week’s landmark Yu-Gi-Oh! collaboration, the classic sneaker has arguably reigned as the sneaker of the summer. And as the year continues, the Swoosh is set to revive a more obscure iteration of the shoe from nearly 25 years ago.
The Nike Air Max 95 Zip is exactly what it sounds like, a reconfigured version of the sneaker featuring a zipper fastening atop its lacing system. It originally dropped in 2001 to little fanfare as the Air Max 95 Z, and few but the most dedicated of collectors are likely to remember it.
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For its return, as confirmed by Brendan Dunne of StockX, the Air Max 95 Zip sees a shaggy suede take over its wavy paneling rather than leather. One iteration maintains uniformity in black throughout the upper and sole, with the exception of blue Air units, while the other pairs a blue upper with a burgundy midsole and branding in orange and red.
In addition to the aforementioned releases, the Air Max 95’s momentum has been continued with other high-profile drops, including three colorways made of Levi’s denim, a Nike SB collab with new tooling for skateboarding and numerous additional colorways from the shoe’s original run and later retros, as well as those brand-new for the moment.
Speaking to Footwear News for a story on the sneaker’s latest run, James Whitner said: “From the moment it dropped, it had that energy. It was bold, expensive, hard to get. So if you had a pair, it said something. I still think that shoe is part of the ‘look’ for certain people. It became a statement, and honestly, it never really stopped being one.”
The Nike Air Max 95 Zip will release later in the year, likely through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $200.
