The 25 Greatest Nike Air Max 95 Colorways Ever
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Conservative is not a word that any sneakerhead would use to describe Tinker Hatfield’s output with the Air Max line. Hell, he created the line with the Nike Air Max 1. There was a point where Tinker’s Air Maxes were bold and daring. And yet, when you compare the Nike Air Max 2, Tinker’s final Air Max design before passing the torch to a young Sergio Lozano, there is a miles-wide gap between the two. Tasked with bringing a fresh perspective to the running line, Lozano was inspired by the human anatomy and how that would translate to a sneaker. The result is a runner that connects lacing to ribs, midsoles to spines, and leather to muscles. Much like a lot of the colorways that we will be introducing in this list, the mishmash should not work. And it always feels like a small miracle when it doesn’t. It shouldn’t be a surprise 30 years later, but every time a new collab or new remix drops, we still act like it’s 1995.
Unlike any particular model of the Air Jordan that might get a handful of retros one year and then take a break for a minimum of five years, there’s always a new pair of Air Max 95 down the corner to join the numerous retros of OG colorways and classics that have grown in popularity over the years. There might not be a more dynamic ranking in all of sneakers, with the possibility of major swings occurring year by year. But for now, in September 2025, on the eve of the release of the Yu-Gi-Oh! X Nike Air Max 95 collaboration, we’ve narrowed down our rankings to the top 25 Nike Air Max 95s of all-time.
The only caveat to this list is the lack of friends and family exclusives and the special editions that a Nike athlete or school might receive that will never hit retail stores. It would be like bringing ringers to the gym run, even if none of the exclusives or ultra rare collabs stand a chance against the shoe that ended up being ranked #1.
25. Nike Air Max 95 Juventus (2003)
While Nike’s rocky partnership with Serie A football club Juventus is a case study for what happens when club and sponsor are not simpatico, sneakerheads couldn’t care less because that black and white Air Max 95 was fire. A perfect match to the team’s striped kit, the sneaker featured a yellow swoosh as a nod to their third official color along with the two stars on the tongue in place of the Air Max to reference their more than 20 Serie A championships. When the club won their 30th Serie A championship in 2014, Juventus wanted Nike to acknowledge the achievement with a third star on their kits. However, Nike refused because of a scandal that stripped Juventus of their 2005 and 2006 championships, allegedly at the request of rival club Inter Milan, who was also sponsored by Nike. Juventus would move to adidas in 2015, a brand that knows a thing or two about black and white stripes.
24. Nike Air Max 95 Lux (2001)
Decked out with a tag of the map of Italy to denote its origins, the 2001 Lux Air Max 95 was an ambitious remix of a sneaker that was already a classic just a few years after its debut. As part of a Lux Pack that also included the Air Trainer SC and Air Force 1 High, the soft Italian leather was such a departure from the sporty origins of Sergio Lozano’s design that it was kind of hard for people to wrap their heads around the concept. Supreme would take a stab at the idea in 2019, but the lack of follow-up really bangs the point home that people like their Air Maxes a certain way and there’s no need to rock the boat.
23. Nike SB Air Max 95 Cactus Flower (2025)
It’s telling that if you go to the right place, you can still find the SB Air Max 95s for retail. Released to much fanfare, Nike SB wanted to make sure the world knew that these were not just Air Max 95s with SB branding on them. They were retooled and reengineered to meet the needs of skaters who actually want to skate. And yet, despite the hype train, the response to the sneaker upon release was muted. Maybe it was the relatively safe colorway, the release being so close to the Undefeated x Air Jordan 4, or the chatter from “real skaters” online who are inclined to dislike anything Nike does; the launch was tame compared to the excitement for the SB Air Jordan 4.
22. Nike Air Max 95 Z (2001)
When you look at the color and the shape and the vibe, it’s not impossible to think that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found inspiration for his signature Converse Shai 001 from this zip-up Air Max 95 that Nike is finally bringing back later this year. With the way the shroud covers up the lacing system that is such a critical part of the Air Max 95’s design and appeal, Nike shelving this style for decades was probably a move for the best.
21. COMME des GARÇONS x Nike Air Max 95 (2020)
Looking like an Air Max 95 that was snatched out of the production line before it had a chance to be cleaned up and ready to be boxed, the incomplete nature of the CDG collab is the best part of the entire package. Released as part of a three-pack, the distressed energy of the sneaker is fully captured by the gradient pair in comparison to the black and white colorways. The haggard look gives the impression that the sneaker has seen and done some things and it’s best that you just don’t bother asking what the deal is.
20. Nike Air Max 95 ERDL Party (2018)
Considering the number of Air Max 95s that use camo print, it only makes sense that we combine all of them into one entry on this list instead of spreading them around. Named after the US Army’s Engineer Research and Development Laboratory that developed the camo pattern we know and use unironically in fashion today, the ERDL Party really highlights the strength of the 95’s multilayer upper.
19. Nike Air Max 95 Comet Red (1995)
The first of the OG colorways to make the list, their obscurity in comparison to the other 1995 originals is the reason for a relatively low spot on the list. However, the Comet Red did achieve “Big In Japan” status and thus has been given the nickname Air Max 95 Japan in some circles. Retros of the Comet Red have ranged from true to the original, like in 2003 and 2010, while others have a tangential relationship at best, such as in 1998 when it received a leather makeover and the 2021 Japan quickstrike pair that put more emphasis on its relationship to the region. Thankfully a 2026 Big Bubble retro is on the way so those who miraculously still have a working 2010 pair can retire them soon.
18. Nike Air Max 95 Green Monster (2001)
An early grail for many Air Max collectors, the Green Monster (there’s a white version that’s a little less monster-y) was one of the first 95s to use a faux-reptile finish on the upper. The new look at the time was a signal that this pair is less of a performance runner and more of a lifestyle piece that doubles as a way of scaring your auntie who might freak out at the sight of anything even slightly resembling a lizard. A kid’s-only pair would emerge in 2019 that borrows the nickname and some of the color scheme but charts its own lane with cartoon eyes and shark teeth on the upper.
17. Nike Air Max 95 Pink Foam (2020)
To give you an example of just how different the world was in 2020 when we were at home trying to not catch COVID, a general release Nike Air Max 95 became one of the most popular sneakers of that year, reselling for as much as four times the retail price. Why? Because Kim Kardashian posted a bunch of thirst traps rocking the sneakers, which led to them going viral and blowing up all over social media. Thankfully the 2025 pair in OG Big Bubble form did not lead to Kim posting an encore and the sneakers can be had for a reasonable price at secondary sites.
16. Sole Collector x Nike Air Max 95 Cowboy Special (2006)
Limited to only 300 pairs, Sole Collector’s homage to the Pacific Northwest can be found on the lateral side of the sneaker with the black Buffalo print upper combined with hits of neon green. Meanwhile, the colorful medial side makes use of each individual rand with red representing the Air Max 1, the Ultramarine for the Air Max 180, the teal of the Air Max 93 and the Air Max 95’s familiar neon.
15. Nike Air Max 95 Doernbecher Mike Armstrong (2007)
Designed by Mike Armstrong, the inspiration for his Air Max 95 came from his brother who served in the military. The result is a design that definitely takes a page out of Captain America’s iconic costume, but a closer inspection reveals a few personal touches that make the sneaker uniquely a Mike Armstrong creation. The upper is filled with words that tell Mike’s journey to replace a valve in his heart and the Air Max logo that’s usually on the tongue is replaced by Mike’s design that features a heart, wings, and a cross. The sneaker would get a retro in 2013 as part of Doernbecher’s 10th Anniversary.
14. Nike Air Max 95 Slate (1995)
It’s really difficult to go against a sneaker that uses a blue gradient, especially when it’s one of the OG colorways of many people’s choice for best Air Max sneaker. A perfect pair to complement your old school Nautica windbreaker fit on those windy days on the yacht, the Slate actually came back in 1997 with a leather upper in place of the mesh. With time running out on the Air Max 95’s 30th anniversary, is it actually possible we’ll get through the year without a retro in either mesh or leather? That would be a shame for sure.
13. Nike Air Max 95 Bumblebee (2006)
With the official name being Varsity Maize, it’s easy to see why people wanted to spice up this colorway with a cool nickname. Considering the yellow gradient and secondary yellow and black color, Bumblebee was an easy pick, especially with the original Michael Bay Transformers movie dropping a year later and introducing the world to an Optimus Prime that talks without a mask. But if these sneakers had adopted the Pittsburgh Steelers or Pirates or even the Wu-Tang Killa Beez (shoutout Cappadonna), one has to wonder if these would have become even more legendary.
12. Nike Air Max 95 World Cup - Brazil (2006)
To commemorate the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Nike released a pack of Air Max 95s representing some of the top countries participating in the world’s biggest sporting event. What makes the Brazil colorway so special beyond the obvious cool representation of the country’s colors on the layered rands of the sneaker was the Air Max 95’s role as the 2002 national team’s sneaker of choice. From Ronaldo to Ronaldinho to Rivaldo, the team exuded cool and dominance, going undefeated in the tournament en route to their fifth World Cup victory.
11. Nike Air Max 95 Grape (1995)
Fans who have been eagerly anticipating an OG Big Bubble retro of the Grape Air Max 95 are gonna have to wait just a little bit longer as they are expected to drop in 2026. In that time, it’s possible that the appreciation for their easy-to-wear nature and their proximity to the classic Air Jordan 5 Grape will only grow as we get closer to the new year. It’s not like there has been a shortage of Grape 95s either. In 2010, an Alternate Grape colorway dropped for the Air Max 95’s 15th anniversary that has grown in stature and in 2019, the Grape 95 returned with snakeskin leather.
10. Nike Air Max 95 Olympics (2004)
You could not create a more Olympic-appropriate sneaker unless you put a piece of the gold medal on the hang tag. With the layered rands representing each color of the Olympic rings, it’s a perfect complementary piece to anybody who wants Olympic merch but not anything country-specific. The 2020 Hidden Message retro switched up the placement of the colors and included a tearaway upper to reveal a layer of gold. A 2026 retro is reportedly on the way, ahead of the 2028 Olympics by two years for some reason.
9. Nike Air Max 95 Freddy Krueger (2020)
So what does this pair of Air Max 95s that the community has dubbed Freddy Krueger have that the Nike SB Dunk Low Freddy Krueger doesn’t? How is this sneaker allowed to actually release and not be cancelled and stashed away in private collections never to be seen again? Plausible deniability. While the Dunks were unabashedly a tribute to the horror movie icon, the Air Max 95 switches up the patterns and the colors (no green) just enough that whoever owns the rights to the character probably doesn’t have a case.
8. Stash x Air Max 95 (2006)
Much like Pee Wee Kirkland, New York graffiti artist Stash is a legend in two games. Two very different games from Mr. Kirkland, but two games nonetheless. Arguably the most iconic of Stash’s many collaborations with Nike, the Air Max 95 features the now instantly recognisable tonal blue gradient finish that goes from dark blue to slightly less dark blue. It’s a vibe that captures the tone of Stash’s hometown better than just about anything that doesn’t involve the Yankees logo. Fans were treated to a retro release of the sneaker at the end of 2024, though material changes differentiate last year’s pair from the OG.
7. Size? x Nike Air Max 95 Air Max Day (2020)
Air Max Day 2020 was a big one for UK’s size? as they were also celebrating 20 years of collaborations with Nike. Their big Air Max Day drop was an Air Max 95 that references 20 exclusives they have worked on with The Swoosh in that time, resulting in a faux-What The? look that is a beautiful tribute to their partnership.
6. Cortiez x Nike Air Max 95 (2023)
In the short time London-based Corteiz has been working with Nike, the brand has been able to expertly capture the manic energy that defined sneaker culture in the early 2010s. From the way they handle releases, which include scavenger hunts that kids flock to in a way that freaks out anybody over the age of 30, to their marketing campaigns that understand their audience better than any ad agency ever could, it’s not inconceivable that this pack could climb even higher in the ranks in the next few years.
5. Parra x Nike Air Max 95 Running Man (2008)
Unfortunately to kids of the 1980s who somehow managed to watch movies about dystopian future game shows, this Running Man Air Max 95 is not based on the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic. However, it is without a doubt one of the greatest Air Max 95s of all-time thanks to the work of Dutch artist Piet Parra. Using his signature blue, pink, and red color combination on the layered rands shouldn’t make sense in practice, but the execution cannot be denied. Just like Stash, Parra’s work with Nike is legendary, but their Air Max 95s stand alone (with apologies to the Parra Air Max 1).
4. atmos x Nike Air Max 95 Viotech (2003)
The dissonance that comes from mixing white, black, and shades of brown with purple should not work. And yet, the result of atmos’ first collab with the Air Max 95 is a classic that showed what was possible with the silhouette. Maybe if another sneaker with colors that don’t make sense at first glance had some first, the Viotech would not be as beloved, but it’s a hypothetical we’ll never know the answer. atmos had the guts to put this out there and they get to reap the benefits of its legendary impact.
3. Nike Air Max 95 Solar Red (1995)
Is the Solar Red a victim of Nike having too many iconic sneakers with red? That has to be the only explanation why the Solar Red isn’t higher on this list of the best Air Max 95s ever made. The Nike Air Max 1’s most popular OG colorway is the Sport Red. Retros of the Air Max 90 Infrared are always a cause for celebration in the sneaker world. It might be called the Silver Bullet Air Max 97, but it does have hits of red. And yet, the Solar Red is in the best of times overlooked and in the worst downright forgotten in a sea of collabs and gimmicks. It’s a colorway that deserves better but just falls short in the end. It’s a top 2 sneaker that somehow isn’t in the top 2.
2. atmos x Nike Air Max 95 Animal (2006)
If the 2001 Green Monster colorway opened up the possibilities for animal print to show up on the 95s, the 2006 atmos collab threw everything in there just to see what would happen. Gaudy by any standard, this 2006 pair was unlike anything that came before it and that was seen as a good thing. A mostly faithful retro in 2018 helped secure the sneaker’s place in the Air Max 95 history as it was once again a hit. It’s proof that no matter how crazy the execution might look in the conceptual phase, the people will ultimately decide the sneaker’s fate.
1. Nike Air Max 95 Neon (1995)
2025. 2020. 2018. 2015. 2010. 2008. 2005. 1999. Those are the years that we have been blessed with a retro of the Nike Air Max 95 Neon. And that’s not even counting the various remixes and reimaginings that add a new spin to the familiar colorway. No other classic sneaker in Nike’s entire library is associated with a colorway as much as Neon is to the 95. When you think of a sneaker that uses contrasting colors to pop, the best example for 30 years running has been the Neon 95. It was proof that a sneaker with such an obtuse design inspiration could succeed, and with color combinations that have no business of working. And yet, they do work against all odds.
From video game journalism to veteran of the sneaker blog era to podcasting about well, everything, Juan is smiling through it all and can't believe this is his life. After recently getting into Formula 1, he now has hot takes about who the greatest driver of all time is. Email: juan@soleretriever.com
