Nike Air Max 95 "Smoke" Is All About Desaturated Hues and Divergent Textures
A no-frills colorway that opts to let its iconic construction and interesting material choices do the talking.
Nike‘s Air Max 95 was introduced to market 26 years ago, but the Sergio Lozano-designed sneaker somehow still manages to look innovative and futuristic today. Boasting a construction inspired by the human anatomy and a wealth of upper paneling to experiment with, the AM95 is the rare shoe that can handle both vibrant and muted color schemes with aplomb — and now it’s set to release in a “Smoke” makeup that decidedly falls in the latter category.
The official “Smoke” color scheme is “Black/Iron Grey-Off Noir-Dark Smoke Grey,” but it’s nearly impossible to note the miniscule differences between this assemblage of shades. What is certainly not difficult to see, however, is the vast array of textures present on the upper. These textures include alternating anatomy-esque overlays that go between shaggy suede and rough rubberized leather, toe caps and heels made of tumbled leather and throats constructed of pebbled leather.
A sporty mesh brings all these textiles and leathers together, and branding is largely kept to a minimum with tonal tongue badges, small Swooshes under the lateral half of the collar and pint-sized Nike Sportswear graphics on the heel tab. Down below, black EVA foam midsoles with jet black forefoot and heel Air Max units round off the look.
Expect the Nike Air Max 95 “Smoke” to release via Nike SNKRS GB on May 13, priced at £149.95 GBP (approximately $211 USD). It’ll likely see a US release in the coming weeks as well.
For more from the greater world of the Swoosh, check out the story behind Jordan Brand’s mysterious Air Jordan 1 KO.
