After 30 years in the game, the Air Max 95 has seen quite a few reimagining of its iconic look, ranging from the zip-up Air Max 95 “Z” style of the early aughts to the velcro-covered Air Max 95 “Pollen Rise” released only in South Korea back in 2020. But for the model’s milestone year, Nike SB is treating the sneaker icon to its first skate-ready revamp alongside legend Eric Koston.
The pro skater has been with Nike’s skateboarding division since 2009, working on projects like the UNC-inspired SB x Air Jordan 1 Low and metallic gold Dunk High. This won’t be his first foray into the Air Max lineup, but it is the first time he will be adding his own stamp to the Air Max 95.
If the chatter on social feeds is anything to go by, Koston’s upcoming collab is going to fly off shelves. “These drop, insta cop,” wrote one Instagram user. Another matched the eagerness, commenting, “Cop. Next question”.
But for every sneakerhead itching to get their hands on these sneakers, there’s always a few who don’t get the hype. One commenter even insinuated that the design was a little lazy, pointing out that the skate-ready shoes just look like a pair of Michigan Air Max 95s with Koston’s name slapped onto it. Well, we kind of see it, too.
Just like the Michigan Air Max 95, which is expected to roll out this year, the colourway is predominantly navy with a touch of grey on the heel and splashes of yellow on the visible Air bubbles and branding. But the similarities end there.
Koston’s design combines hairy suede, mesh, and nubuck on the wavy panels, with added white and yellow accents on the top layer of the shoe. Custom “Koston” tags can also be found at the heel, while the Thai script for Nike is stitched on the toe.
If anything, this design is a mix of several different Michigan-inspired Air Mac ’95 looks, though we’re pretty confident that wasn’t the intended inspiration for this collab.
The colours are more likely inspired by the skater’s hometown of San Bernardino, California. The county’s new flag is a mix of white, navy, and yellow, as seen on the shoes.
As for the Thai script, it’s a nod to his country of birth, Thailand. So perhaps the design isn’t as lazy as some might think.
Look out for the release of the Eric Koston x Nike SB Air Max 95 on Nike SNKRS in holiday 2025. Expect a price tag of around $200 USD. Also, make sure to check back for more on the skate-ready enhancements added to the design.
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Eric Koston x Nike SB Air Max 95 |
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| SKU / Style Code: HQ8492-400 |
| Retail Price: $200 |
| Release Date: Holiday 2025 |
| Colours: Obsidian/Speed Yellow-Midnight Navy-Summit White |
| Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS |
