Nike’s latest renovation of the iconic Air Max 1 ’86 model features a reconfigured mudguard that has slanted differently than the 2017 ‘Anniversary’ retro. The ‘Big Bubble’ also features a reworked Air-filled midsole.
A ‘Big Bubble’ Release Date: March 26, 2023
While the OG big bubble AM1s made their way onto the shelves in 1986, they were prone to cracking and bursting in cold weather. Fortunately, Nike took steps to remedy that with the 1987 iteration, we know and love today.
In a recent SNKRS program introducing the reissue, product line manager Jamie Paige said it took three years to get it right. He remarked that it was a “painstaking” process to recreate the vintage configuration while using modern manufacturing techniques, but it was ultimately worth it.
The ‘Big Bubble’ comes packaged in a black box that lacks period correctness, but it does sport a large Swoosh window and four dots about the larger air chamber. It doesn’t come with the goodies that the ‘Anniversary’ wore, like the Nike Air swing tag, extra laces and mini booklet. Still, Nike has also thrown in a pair of its newest Move to Zero packaging, which is 90% recycled materials and 100% recyclable (so far).
While this isn’t the most extravagant or eye-catching sneaker we’ve ever seen, it’s certainly a great shoe for sporty people looking for something a bit more on the minimal side. While the ‘Big Bubble’ is a jack of all trades, it has the potential to stand out as an attention-grabbing silhouette in certain colorways.
