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Meet Nike’s three new HTM Air Max 2016 releases

Nike legends Tinker Hatfield, Hiroshi Fujiwara, and Mark Parker put their own spin on classic silhouettes

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Weekly updates


In case you’ve been living in a sneaker-less bubble, you should be well aware that this Saturday March 26 marks annual Nike’s Air Max Day. As always, the sportswear giant is marking the big day with a slew of events worldwide, as well as some specially designed new releases. This year, three of the brand’s most influential names were given the power to design their own Air Max silhouette and these are definitely ones to keep an eye on. The collective known as HTM—Hiroshi Fujiwara, Tinker Hatfield, and Mark Parker—have individually created Air Max designs that are intended to reflect their respective contributions to the designs and you couldn’t get a more varied trio of sneakers. Take a closer look at the Nike Air Max LD-Zero H, Nike Air Max 90 Ultra Superfly T, and Nike Air Max Ultra M below.

01. Hiroshi Fujiwara – Nike Air Max LD-Zero H

Opting for a classic aesthetic, Fujiwara turned to a low-profile silhouette with an all blue colour palette. The LD-Zero H is treated with a nylon upper and suede heel while incorporating Nike’s Flywire technology for maximum comfort and support.

“I love searching through the Nike archives. On a recent visit, I happened to come across the Nike Boston, which was a predecessor to the LD-1000. I thought it would be really interesting to combine that silhouette with the latest technologies available today. Performance technologies are amazing to work with, so I paired the Boston upper with the Air Max 2014 platform.”

The Nike Air Max LD-Zero H is already sold out online but will be available via select retailers on Air Max Day, March 26.

02. Tinker Hatfield – Nike Air Max 90 Ultra Superfly T

With a constant desire to change things in order to better them, Tinker Hatfield wasn’t going to just customise the colourway of his iteration. With an athlete in mind, Hatfield stitched together elements from one of his favourite styles, the Mercurial Superfly. The heightened collar makes use of Flyknit materials for the ultimate fit.

“Everything I do is coloured by my experiences. When I draw, it’s a culmination of things that I’ve seen and done to that point. When I was designing this shoe, I pulled inspiration from the United States and France. Each country has had considerable influence on my career, so that’s where you get the reds, whites and the blues.

The colour scheme also represents a bit of a departure for me, as I’ve been much more interested in secondary colours, or weird blends, throughout my career. But with this shoe, I went right back to the well with primary coloors. It’s a very interesting shoe, with a unique blend of technology. But the colourway is right down the fairway.”

The Nike Air Max 90 Ultra Superfly T is available online now and via select retailers on Air Max Day, March 26.

03. Mark Parker – Nike Air Max Ultra M

Nike’s current CEO Mark Parker had a decidedly premo performance take on his Air Max, toning down the BW’s upper with a jacquard treatment. The AM Ultra M also features sleek black leather panelling and trims, which contrast well with that iconic Big Window mid-sole.

“I designed those three running shoes: the Vengeance, the Vortex and the Vector. If you look at the V-Series, it’s a classic shoe of that design era. You have the tip, eye stay, counter, back tab, vamp, Swoosh, midsole and outsole. Everything revolved around that formula.

So there are a few hints of that in this Air Max. It’s an ode to the classic cut and sew design language of the 1980s, executed in a modern way.”

The Nike Air Max Ultra M is available online now and via select retailers on Air Max Day, March 26.