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Nike Air Max 1 '86 OG 'University Red'

DQ3989-100
90% upvoted
March 27, 2023 4:00 PM

Sneakerjagers The Untold Story - 'Big Bubble' community challenge - Winner Announcement

Sneakerjagers The Untold Story - 'Big Bubble' community challenge - Winner Announcement

The month of March is all about the Nike Air Max 1. March 26, 2023, is Air Max Day, and Sneakerjagers celebrated this day in a big way. With the release of the Nike Air Max 1 '86 'Big Bubble', the Air Max Day was a special one.

In Sneakerjagers' 'The Untold Story' community challenge, you learned more about the story behind the silhouette. In collaboration with Nike, we gave away three copies of the Air Max 1 '86 'Big Bubble'. The winners are announced here.

Air Max Day

March 26, 2023, is Air Max Day and Nike celebrated the release of the well-known Air Max 1 silhouette. Nike celebrated this day with different colorways of the model and in 2023 a very special release was also planned; the return of the Air Max 1 '86 'Big Bubble'. The sneaker returned after some 37 years and was celebrated with a giveaway.

Nike Air Max 1 '86 Big Bubble
Nike
Nike Air Max 1 '86 Big Bubble

Before the official release of the Nike Air Max 1 (1987) that we know to this day, there was a predecessor. Tinker Hatfield designed the Nike Air Max 1 'Big Bubble', a silhouette that had a larger air unit. This element was so large that it could crack in cold temperatures. A flop, then, you might think. Nothing could be further from the truth, and after reducing the size of the air unit, there was the Nike Air Max 1, one of Nike's most iconic sneakers.

The Nike Air Max 1 'Big Bubble' appeared on shelves on March 26, 1987. Despite fears of the air unit tearing, this was not the case with this release. This may have been due to the spring-like temperatures at the time. Since its initial release, the 'Big Bubble' has remained under the radar. Now, more than 35 years later, the sneaker reappears at Nike.

The Untold Story

In The Untold Story, a community challenge in partnership with Nike, we told the story of the 'Big Bubble'. Under the motto 'failure that leads to success', Sneakerjagers told different stories behind Nike's most successful works and collaborations. Thus, it is often the untold stories that can actually inspire.

- Read Tinker Hatfield's untold story

- Read Michael Jordan's untold story

- Read Billie Eilish's untold story

As with the Air Max 1, a model that was one of Nike's biggest successes after its "failure", the power here lies in learning from your mistakes. From 21 March to 26 March 2023, you could learn more about the Air Max 1 model and read various untold stories via the Sneakerjagers app. Today, we announce the winners of the challenge!

Winners

In collaboration with Nike, we gave away 3x the Nike Air Max 1 '86 'Big Bubble'. Check out the winners of The Untold Story community challenge below:

  1. @meryltetelepta
  2. @nickemonds
  3. @manudiban

The winners will receive more information about their prize via email. Congratulations on your prize! The Nike Air Max 1 '86 'Big Bubble' in your desired size is coming your way!

In case you missed it, don't forget to download the Sneakerjagers app and stay updated on all future giveaways!

By: Lotte
Image credits:Nike
March 1, 2023 12:58 PM

New footage Nike Air Max 1 '86 'Big Bubble'

New footage Nike Air Max 1 '86 'Big Bubble'

The Nike Air Max 1 '86 'Big Bubble' returns in 2023. As the name suggests, the sneaker introduced itself back in 1986 and has remained under the radar since its first showing. Now, 37 years later, the silhouette returns in the OG 'Sport Red' colourway. The Nike Air Max 1 '86 'Big Bubble' will most likely be released on Air Max Day on March 28, 2023.

The Nike Air Max 1 '86 'Big Bubble' is making a comeback. The sneaker was shown before the original Air Max 1 in 1986 and gets its name from the enlarged Air Unit in the midsole. Since its first showing, the model has not been released. At the SNKRS Live Show in 2022, the 2023 variant of the sneaker was shown for the first time.

The sneaker comes in the OG 'Sport Red' colorway. The upper is made of mesh and colours white. Light grey, leather overlays are placed all over the design. The tongue features the Nike Air logo and the centre panel features the Swoosh. The enlarged Air Unit is transparent.

The sneaker comes with a custom shoe box. This shoe box has an aged look and features a cut-out Swoosh on the lid. The model will return on Air Max Day 2023. Air Max Day is celebrated annually on March 28 and honours the release of the first Air Max silhouette in 1987; the Air Max 1.

This year too, Air Max Day will be celebrated in a big way with several Air Max 1 colourways, including the Nike Air Max 1 '86 'Big Bubble'. The sneaker will most likely drop on 28 March 2023. Keep an eye on our release calendar for the latest updates.

By: Lotte
Image credits: @iceberg.og/@tommy_triggah

Sneaker details

StylecodeDQ3989-100
BrandNike
StyleNike Air Max 1
ColorwayWhite/University Red/LT Neutral Grey
ColorRed
AudienceMen, Women
Release date03/26/2023
Likes9 / 10 (2155 votes)
Published
Updated
The Nike Air Max 1 '86 OG 'University Red' mostly known by sneakerheads by the 'Big Bubble' nickname brings back to the public the original design that made Nike the iconic brand that is today. The revolutionary design of Tinker Hatfield took over the footwear industry in a way nobody could have predicted. With an architectural background, Hatfield designed the sneaker with a visible air bubble, which was highly criticized as it was considered too innovative and eccentric. Luckily, Nike believed in innovative thinking and from there on the rest is history.

The '86 OG silhouette features a white mesh base with grey suede overlays around the lacing system and heel. The guard is constructed with intense 'University Red' suede together with the Swoosh. The branding elements on the heel tab and tongue tag also come written in the same red hue as well as the insole and upper eyestays. A white midsole supports the upper while the outsole is constructed of a mix of white red and black patches. The element that makes this shoe truly authentic is the enlarged air bubble which at the time was a manufacturing mistake, thus the newer models feature a significantly smaller one.

The colorway also comes in WMNS and GS Sizing. 
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