Nike Air Maxs 95 Review – From the Experts

The Nike Air Max 95 debuted in 1995 and has continued to thrive in the shoe market ever since. Cleary making it quite a popular shoe. This attractive shoe is known for its gradient color progression, coming in a variety of colorways, it's a shoe that will both be charming and comfortable.

Buying a new pair of sneakers can be a struggle, especially when they come with a price tag like Nike's so often do. If you're looking for some helpful answers, read on to find more information that can assist you in choosing which shoe is right for you.  Whether it's the Nike Air Max 95 or another Air Max option, we've got the information you need in order to decide! By the end of this detailed review, you'll be well-informed and better equipped to pick the best shoe for you!

Source: Amazon.com

Design

Sergio Lozano designed the Air Max 95s that first came to attention of the public in 1995, nearly three decades ago. This sneaker was the first to have the air cushions on display and took some serious convincing by Lozano in order to get the design authorized. Eventually, the shoe design was approved, and production soon followed. Once the shoe was in stores, it quickly became one of the most sought-after sneakers on the market.

In the mid-nineties, Nike was looking for a fresh, unique design for a new running shoe they had in the works. At the time, Lozano was a young shoe designer and willing to take risks and was given the opportunity. An interesting feature about Nike sneakers is they are designed to tell a story.  With that in mind, Lozano started to brainstorm and look to nature for inspiration, and one day he came up with a brilliant idea. And just like that, the Air Max 95's which are known for their 'layered' look were designed. Where exactly did that layered look come from? Well, in Lozano's mind the layered look came from the way erosion affects land and a significant connection to the Grand Canyon. He states, "One day, I began picturing the process of the Earth being eroded by the rain . . . from that thought I made a little sketch of a shoe that had striations very similar to what you see on the walls of the Grand Canyon." It's important to keep this connection in mind when reviewing the shoe. Knowing that it came from such a special place is important to all past, present, and future wearers.

With a basic understanding of the originality of this design, let's take a look at the actual physical materials used. The layered look is obviously a key design feature, but it's not only found on the sides of the shoe. The upper part of the shoe is also a combination of layered mesh and leather stitched together. The pattern then continues down the sides pulling together that layered erosion visual, giving a gradient look. The layered look isn't simply visually pleasing, but it also enhances the physical make of the shoe. 

Unlike most shoes that were designed at the time, these shoes were the first to have a visible air unit.

Source: Amazon.com

Comfort

Now that we have a basic understanding of where this popular shoe started, let's move on to how it feels. With the outside aesthetically pleasing, what's so special about the inside? There are a variety of different features packed inside the Air Force 1 sneakers that will provide overall comfort for day-to-day activities.

The Nike Air Max 95 is definitely a comfortable shoe. According to Nike, the heel and forefront cushions provide exceptional comfort. “The iconic side panels represent muscles while the visible Nike Air in the heel and forefoot cushions your every step.” This leaves us with the question of What is Nike Air? Well, Nike Air technology was first created in 1987. It was first imagined by Marion Franklin Rudy in the late1960s, and by the time it was introduced to Nike, Rudy had “pitched his innovation to 23 shoe companies; all rejected him.” To many Nike lovers, this might come as a shock. How could such an innovated design as Nike Air Technology be rejected? Imagine someone saying their idea is like “placing tiny airbags in the soles of athletic shoes to soften the impact.” Nike’s co-founder Phil Knight didn’t think it was a bad idea at all, he was actually quite intrigued and created the first prototype in 1977 and introduced the first Nike Air shoe in 1978. 

Since then, Nike Air technology has only grown in popularity. Proving Rudy’s original idea was realized, and the 'tiny airbags' in the sole of the shoe did cushion the impact. All in all, Nike Air Technology “consists of pressurized air inside a tough yet flexible bag and provides more flexibility and spring without compromising structure.” Nike's Air Max 95s have been a consistent fan favorite when it comes to comfort. 

As for overall comfort, these shoes might not be the top choice compared to other Nike options. The main reason is they were originally designed as a sneaker for exercise purposes, not for comfort and style. Being a chunkier shoe, they tend to provide less comfort than the Nike Air Force 1s, but with the Nike Air technology, they’re still quite bouncy and do offer some comfort. It all depends on your overall plans with the shoe. 

Source: Amazon.com

Exercise VS Style

One thing about Nike is they're constantly switching up the plan for a shoe. Is it a running shoe or a stylish shoe? Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference until you’re out on a run and realize your feet are about to fall off. That’s not really a place you want to end up, is it? If it was, I’m sure you wouldn’t be reading this article, especially this section.

If you have made it to this section, we're here to tell you that unfortunately, this sneaker isn't the best for running. Sure, they were originally made specifically for running, but let’s take a quick look at how running shoes have changed over the years. If you think about it, 1995 was over two decades ago, and technology regarding running shoes has evolved A LOT since then. It's important for users to understand this when deciding on purchasing their go-to running shoes. Yes, the Air Max 95s are a comfortable sneaker option and are great for running to catch a plane, chasing your kids around a playground, or even just hanging out throughout the day, but as for running long distances, you might want to choose something else. 

According to the Muscle and Fitness blog “During the past decade, running footwear has evolved more so than during any other period . . . connecting the dots and leading to what we call the modern running shoe.” Proving the Air Max 95s are great for walking, light jogs, and general everyday wear; they’re just not a top choice for that marathon you plan to run in next year. 

FarFetch fashion always provides a great overview of sneakers and how to style them with a variety of outfits. Sneaker enthusiasts are brought in to give honest opinions and reviews about the shoes. Sean Go, a sneaker aficionado and YouTuber out of Canada, says: “I always have an Air Max 95 in my rotation as it perfectly fits into my everyday style. I regularly pair my Neon Air Max 95 with pieces that come in muted colors to ensure the shoe stands out and the rest of the outfit doesn’t clash.” Honestly, sneaker enthusiasts couldn’t agree more with Sean, but understand that sometimes it’s not about making the sneaker stand out, but about tying the outfit together. The all-white Air Max 95s are perfect for exactly that! They can match pretty much any outfit and according to Hanna Helso, a sneaker collector based out of Norway: “Wearing an all-white pair makes it easy to play around with all kinds of colors.” 

Making a decision on whether you’ll wear these sneakers for style is totally up to you and your personal fashion sense. They do come off a bit bulkier than Air Force 1s, but if that’s what you like, go for it! If you’re looking for more ways to style these shoes, look no further. BryceKicks brings us a great video providing 6 different ways to style your Air Max 95s. There are a variety of videos and Pinterest pages out there if you're looking for a little extra help styling your Air Max 95s. So don't fret if you just can't get the style right. 

Sizing & Fit

The Nike Air Max 95s are known to run true to size. Therefore, going with the size you would normally buy will be the best option when purchasing them online. It’s important to note that they do have a snug fit. If you like to wear thicker socks, it might be wise go up a half size, but only if you plan to wear thick socks all the time. Otherwise, stick to purchasing your usual shoe size.

Understandably, some prefer a trip to the store and feel more comfortable trying on shoes in person.  Nike Air Max 95s can be found in many different stores but are definitely sold at Foot Locker and Dick’s Sporting Goods. If you decide to buy your Nike's in a more traditional way, it won’t be hard to find a place that sells them.  It's worth mentioning that at these stores, a salesclerk can take the exact measurements of your foot, ensuring a perfect fit. Find a Foot Locker in your area by clicking here. Find Dick’s Sporting Goods in your area by clicking here

Source: Amazon.com

Where to Buy Them:

When deciding whether or not to buy your new Nike Air Max 95s from a third party there are a few things to keep in mind. First, if you come across an amazing, perhaps, unrealistic deal, they’re probably not authentic. Verified.org states: “Nike is one of the most commonly counterfeited brands in the world.” When making a third party purchase it's important to read as many reviews as possible to find out the real scoop.  The reason it's vital to read all the reviews you can is because these sites can be full of scams and fake reviews you don't want to fall victim too. These scam sites have ways of setting up fake reviews that could easily trick you into trusting them. 

Once you receive your Nikes, the packaging will probably be the first way to tell if you’ve purchased the real deal or if you’ve fallen into the trap of a scammer. If the product doesn’t come in original packaging, something is probably wrong. There is no reason authentic Nike products won’t arrive in original packaging. From there, check all the labels on the products. It’s even suggested to ask for pictures of the labels before making a purchase according to verified.org. “Ask the seller if the product comes with original packaging and tags/labels if you’re unsure.”

To avoid the possibility of falling victim to a scammer, buy directly from Nike. You’ll most likely end up paying full price, but you’ll find comfort in knowing you are receiving a real, high-quality Nike product. Nike even offers a 60-day return period for any reason. Whichever way you shop, “You can return items for any reason within those 60 days . . . even after 60 days, you can still return items if they’re unworn and unwashed.” This is a great deal especially if the shoes don’t fit correctly or you decide you just don't like the sneaker in general.

Another great place to buy Nike Air Max 95s is at Dick’s Sporting Goods. We’ve mentioned this a few times, and no we’re not getting paid to write on behalf of Dick’s, we just genuinely want to give you the best information we possibly can. Here’s a little insider information. Dick’s Sporting Goods and Nike have recently merged their loyalty programs! This means that on top of rewards and offers you already get individually, once your Dick’s ScoreCard and Nike Membership are combined, you’ll receive additional benefits. “There are exclusive benefits you receive by connecting your Dick’s ScoreCard and Nike Membership accounts in addition to the benefits you receive from each program individually.” This incentive makes Dick’s a great place to buy your Nike Air Max 95s, especially if you have the patience to wait for the best possible deal.

The final suggestion on where to buy a new pair of Nike Air Max 95s is the online hot spot, Amazon. Amazon is a place you definitely have to watch out for when buying a product like Nike sneakers. As a third-party site, it's possible to end up with a fake pair. If you want to use your prime membership, below are two links that will lead you to authentic Nike Air Max 95s to purchase. These are real and our experts have already sifted through all the reviews for you to verify that! So, click the links and enjoy your shopping. 

Men's Air Max 95 SE Running Shoes
$170.00

by Nike 

Buy Now
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
02/18/2024 05:25 am GMT

1. Nike Men's Air Max 95 ‘Midnight Navy’ Lifestyle Sneaker

Price: $189.99 – $447.00

Mens Air Max 95 Running Shoes
$199.00

by Nike 

Buy Now
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
02/18/2024 05:11 am GMT

2. Nike Men's Air Max 95 Running Shoes

Price: $170.81 – $441.00

These shoes are offered in a large variety of colorways. Which makes it easy to find the perfect pair and colorway that fits your unique style.  For more colorways and options, we suggest going directly to Nike’s website to ensure a guaranteed genuine purchase.

Conclusion:

Nike Air 95's have definitely kept their popularity over the past few decades. It's almost become a timeless sneaker. Honestly, the true fashion takeover these sneakers had back in 1995 is essentially what makes them timeless. History repeats itself for sure and guess what Nike Air 95s are back in style. When it comes to comfort, Nike Air 95s are top-notch sneakers for walking and light jogging. They're a durable, long-lasting sneaker that has proven to withstand years of wear. Ten years from now, they might still be your favorite shoes to wear on a walk or to work in the garden. These shoes can be paired with a variety of outfits, combining style and comfort all in one. 

The Air Max 95s usually to run true to size and purchasing the size you'd normally wear should work. Although, it's not a bad idea to head into a shoe store and physically try them on. If going into the store is not for you, beware of online scams, they are everywhere and can easily be overlooked. 

If you’re thinking about investing in this sneaker, remember that it’s not necessarily the best for running marathons, but it’ll get you the distance you need to go in a comfortable and stylish manner. 

Now that you have the tools and knowledge needed on Nike Air Max 95s, let the shopping begin! 

Source: Amazon.com

 

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