Nike has a long history of creating special edition sneakers to celebrate various cultural events and holidays, though it has had some trouble honoring the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City. Previous pairs crafted by Nike featured the Puerto Rican flag placed incorrectly and even accidentally used designs from the indigenous people of Panama. For 2023's tribute to the island, The Swoosh takes inspiration from desserts on a pair of Nike Air Max 1's with the upcoming "Blue Gale" and "Orange Frost" colorways.
Packaged in a special "Famila" branded box nodding to helados (ice cream), both colorways reference piragua (a type of snowcone). This is overtly apparent in the tongue tag, which features a red, white, and blue flavor on the "Blue Gale" colorway and coco, parcha, and piña on the "Orange Frost." Other details present on both pairs include the jewel Nike Swoosh, metallic "Puerto Rico" branded lace dubrae, and the island's name embroidered on the right sneaker's heel. Underfoot sits a white foam midsole with exposed Air in the heel paired with a tonal outsole matching the shades on the upper. Also included in the packaging is a towel that matches the color scheme and contains the same graphic found on the tongue tag of each respective Nike Air Max 1's.
The Nike Air Max 1 Puerto Rico Pack will release June 6th, 2023. The "Orange Frost" colorway of the Nike Air Max Puerto Rican Day will be available via Nike and select Nike retailers, while the "Blue Gale" will release exclusively via Nike NBHD retailers. Following this exclusive release, Nike will release the "Blue Gale" colorway on SNKRS on July 27. Coming in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $140. Keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Nike Air Max 1 Puerto Rico "Blue Gale"
Image via Bodega
Images via Roszko
Nike Air Max 1 Puerto Rico "Orange Frost"
Images via Nike
Images via Roszko
