Nike‘s Air Max 94 trainers are a throwback to the early days of air-cushioned sports footwear. These shoes made a comeback in 2015, and fresh iterations in 2016 and 2018 included different color schemes. If you’re looking for a pair of retro-style shoes that both looks and feel amazing, you should definitely check out these hues. While original colors have also been reissued, there are only a limited number of models out in the aforementioned silhouette.
These kicks are a throwback to a bygone era of the athletic style, with a low top and a vintage design. The shoes’ upper is constructed with a nubuck overlay on a mesh foundation for breathability and durability, and to keep your feet toasty on cold days. Furthermore, its stability is enhanced by the use of such materials. Through a transparent window at the back of the heels, you can see the Nike Visible Air Max unit. In the 1990s, it was all the rage to create designs that flaunted their air bubbles.
Fast forward to the current day, the Air Max 94 is a sneaker of the past with not much chatter around them—excluding the Air Max 94 CB. Below, we revisited some of the model’s popular colorways to bring sneakerheads down memory lane.
Air Max 94 SE Safari
This “Safari” colorway of the Air Max improves upon the original design with a unique blend of materials. The upper is made out of a breathable mesh material and is surrounded by suede panels that also serve as the eyestays. The upper also has full-grain leather Swooshes and a printed mudguard. The neoprene tongue has a vintage logo that references the shoe’s Air cushioning system.
Air Max 94 Snakeskin
The Nike Air Max 94 “Snakeskin” is a sneaker with an exotic design that mixes elements of the Air Max Burst sneaker with the Air Max 93’s pronounced Air unit. The shoe’s beige leather upper has a variety of overlays, including a snakeskin-embossed quarter panel, a cowhide Swoosh, a textured mudguard, and suede accents at the toe and heel. Its adaptive cushioning is provided by a Max Air unit which is visible at the heel.
Air Max 94 Black Volt
This September 2018 reissue of the Air Max 94 “Black Volt” stays true to the original design by featuring a breathable mesh heel covered in alternating suede and leather panels. Branding details from earlier models, such as the Swoosh on the tongue and the heel in bright colors, are fundamental to the classic design. This shoe once again has a rubber outsole and a translucent unit with the titular hue appearing inside.
Air Max 94 Obsidian
Following the “Obsidian” colorway’s debut on the Air Max 2016 edition, Nike has revisited its vault to dress up this silhouette in a similar style. A suede and mesh upper is toned down to match the sole, which is black with a visible Air unit, and bold blue details adorn the tongue tag and Nike swoosh. This release serves as a versatile sneaker that can be paired with ripped black jeans and a shirt of choice.
Air Max 94 Bright Crimson
The Air Max 94 “Bright Crimson” draws inspiration from many previous Air Max models to create a unique hybrid aesthetic. The shoe’s top is made of breathable mesh and leather to improve ventilation. Suede, mesh, and nubuck make up the upper of this classic runner, which is colored with a combination of wolf grey, black, white, and bright crimson accents. Finishing off the design is a white midsole, red Air Max cushioning in the heel, and a black rubber outsole.
Air Max 94 Wolf Grey Game Royal
The “Wolf Grey Game Royal” Nike Air Max ’94 colorway has the classic white, wolf grey, game royal, and photo blue of the original model. The upper has a clean white mesh base with synthetic grey overlays. Pops of game royal are used on the Swoosh and mudguard, which are both made of nubuck. The shoe sits on a white midsole with the unique 180-degree Air Max unit. The Air Max logo is shown prominently on the tongue tab, and the shoes are finished off with white laces.
