Introducing Nike Air Max 180: The Brainchild of Two Legends
The Nike Air Max 180, debuting in 1991, was designed by Tinker Hatfield and Bruce Kilgore, legendary designers behind Nike favorites like the original Air Max and Air Force 1. The Nike Air Max 180 was the third Nike Air Max sneaker. The shoe didn't catch on among runners and consumers when it first debuted in the early 90s, but a retro in the early 2000s saw a resurgence in the shoe, especially among sneakerheads. The 180 became a canvas for several rare design collaborations and special editions. Original colorways of the Nike Air Max 180 included Ultramarine and Concord.
Nike Air Max 180: New Technology Is in the Air
The Nike Air Max 180 introduced a new Air Sole technology for Nike. The Air unit, located in the back heel of the shoe, was the first to make direct contact with the ground and was 50 percent larger than other Air Max units at the time.
The 180 in the shoe's name refers to the 180-degree view of the visible Air. The original upper featured Nike branding on the heel counter, a Swoosh on the side and a white midsole. The outsole features a waffle pattern design, which was also introduced in a basketball sneaker worn by Charles Barkley.
How Nike Air Max Works: Seeing Is Believing
Nike Air Max, designed by Tinker Hatfield, was first introduced in 1987 in the Air Max 1. Pressurized air inflated into a bag on the base of the shoe provides cushioning. On impact, the air compresses and then returns to its original shape and volume.
The Air unit on Nike Air Max shoes is visible, unlike on other Nike Air shoes where it's hidden in the midsole. The best examples of evolution and innovation of Air Max can be found on Nike Air Max silhouettes like the VaporMax, Air Max 2090, Air Max 270 and Air Max 720.
Nike Air Max 180 in Popular Culture
Even though the Nike Air Max 180 is categorized as a running sneaker, basketball superstar Michael Jordan was a huge fan. During the 1992 Summer Olympics, when Jordan was a USA Dream Team member, he was often spotted sporting the shoe.
Famed rappers in the early 2000s also used the Nike Air Max 180 as a canvas for rare sneaker customizations. Kanye West received an exclusive pair celebrating his College Dropout album. West's version replaced the 180 logo on the tongue with a bear and featured faux animal print on the heel counter. The sneaker was never released to the public, but a few samples of the shoe occasionally pop up.
Dizzee Rascal also collaborated on exclusive "Dirtee Stank" Nike Air Max 180s that was limited to 60 pairs and came in a Brownstone and Sport Red colorway. And in 2006, Eminem released a collection of Nike Air Max sneakers for charity to benefit the Marshall Mathers Foundation. The Air Max 180 sneaker featured Eminem's Shade 45 satellite radio station's logo on each heel with an upper that mixed black, white and orange on premium leather and mesh.
Nike Air Max 180 Colorways and Collectibility
- There have been several re-releases of the Nike Air Max 180 since its original 1991 debut. The most recent retros of the original Ultramarine (615287-100) and Bright Ceramic (615287-101) colorways came in 2018 and are the closest to the original versions. Resale values typically range from $175 to $275, depending on size and colorway.
- In 2019, a version of the Nike Air Max 180 inspired by Berlin was released exclusively in Europe. The colorway was inspired by Berlin's electronic music scene and featured neon accents on the upper and transparent outsoles that revealed the words "Unity" and "Freedom." Resale values on the Nike Air Max 180 "Berlin" (V7487-001) typically range from $200 to $300.
Nike Air Max 180 - Ultramarine (615287-100)
Nike Air Max 180 - Bright Ceramic (615287-101)
Nike Air Max 180 - Laser Pink/Solar Red-Pink Rise (AO4641-602)
- Japanese fashion label Comme Des Garcons collaborated with Nike on three premium versions of the Air Max 180 in 2018. The three colorways — Laser Pink/Solar Red-Black (AO4641-601), Laser Pink/Solar Red-White (AO4641-600) and Laser Pink/Solar Red-Pink Rise (AO4641-602) — start at around $300, depending on size and colorway, with Laser Pink/Solar Red-Black the most valuable.
- Another Japanese fashion label also created a rendition of the Nike Air Max 180. In 2019, Ambush, helmed by designer Yoon Ahn, remixed the Nike running sneaker by merging its design with the Nike Air Zoom Flight basketball shoe. The sneaker came in black and white colorways and featured Air Max 180 tooling and the zip-up upper of the Zoom Flight, making it a mid-top. Ahn revealed that the Nike Air Max 180 was the first sneaker she ever bought. The Ambush Nike Air Max 180's original retail price was $180 and now often sells for more.
How to Spot a Fake Air Max 180
Before looking at the shoe, check out the packaging. Current retro Air Max 180s come in a box with embossed Nike branding on the tissue paper. The shoe's size tag should state its dates of manufacture. Other ways to spot a fake include glue stains around the midsole and branding and an outsole that appears to be painted rather than the material's original color. The outsole should also feel firmer than the midsole on a genuine pair.
Nike Air Release Dates, News and Articles
If you're a fan of Nike sneakers, you won't want to miss out on the latest Nike Air guides, news and releases that are available on the eBay Sneaker Hub. Read more about classic designs like the Air Max and Air Force 1 to new drops and collaborations.