Air Max Day 2023 is almost upon us, which means the Air Max 1 ‘86 Big Bubble — a version of the venerated silhouette that, as the name suggests, boasts an extended midsole window — will soon be ours. If luck is on our side, that is, as thousands of sneakerheads worldwide are also champing at the bit to cop a pair.
But is bigger really better? In this instance, arguably so, since the Big Bubble is the real OG — the earliest form of the earliest Air Max. Dreamt up by Tinker Hatfield in 1986 (hence the '‘86' addition to the moniker), the silhouette predates the Air Max 1 we’re all familiar with.
The sole reason Nike had to tinker with Hatfield’s initial vision (see what we did there?) is that they discovered the exposed Air units were susceptible to cracking. Thus, the brand’s engineers covertly shrunk the length (and height!) of the window to minimise risk.
For the 2023 relaunch, the Swoosh has used CT scans to replicate a shoe from the first and only (up until now) Big Bubble run which launched on 26 March 1987. Naturally, it has employed innovative technology to ensure the bubbles situated in the reissued pairs aren’t prone to fractures, regardless of the climate they face, but everything else is true to the original, including the 'university red' colourway.
Well, when we say everything, we mean everything but the box, which has actually received a complete makeover. The brand-new packaging boasts an edgy, scratched up design (think ancient alien weapon in a dystopian sci-fi flick), set off by a swoosh-shaped window atop the lid, and four small windows inspired by the shoe’s Air unit on the fore. It remains to be seen whether future Big Bubble drops – an inevitability – will be dispatched in similar packaging, or if this box is exclusive to the Air Max Day release.
The Air Max 1 ‘86 Big Bubble releases on Air Max Day (Sunday 26 March) in sizes 2.5-14 (UK 5.5-14 for men; UK 2.5-9.5 for women) for £144.95. To be in with a chance of copping via Nike, enter the draw over on SNKRS app on Sunday at 8 am. Offspring will also be dropping the Big Bubble via their website on Sunday morning.
You could also participate in raffles on End, Sevenstore, Bstn and SNS (app), all of which are live right now, to better your chances.
And when all else fails, hit up the resale stores: The Edit Ldn, StockX, GOAT, Kick Game and Presentedby.
