The ‘90s were a defining decade for sneaker culture, and in 1995, Nike changed the game with the Air Max 95.
Designed by Sergio Lozano, the silhouette broke every rule in the Air Max playbook. Instead of playing it safe, Lozano leaned into something daring. Inspired by human anatomy, he built the upper in layered gradients that mirrored muscle fibres, giving the sneaker a raw, almost skeletal edge. It was aggressive. It was futuristic. And it didn’t look like anything else on shelves at the time.
Then came the real shake-up: visible Air in the forefoot. Before the 95, Air Max units lived strictly in the heel. The Air Max 95 doubled down, introducing forefoot Air cushioning and shifting the entire visual identity of the franchise. It wasn’t just innovation for the sake of it — it was a statement.
And of course, the colourway that stamped it into legend: “Neon.” That grey gradient upper paired with electric volt hits became an instant icon. The Neon 95 didn’t just launch a sneaker — it set a new design language for performance-meets-street. Decades later, it still commands respect in any serious rotation.
Beyond design, the Air Max 95 carved out cultural currency. From ‘90s hip-hop visuals to today’s streetwear ecosystem, its presence has never wavered. It’s been reworked, reissued and reinterpreted countless times, but its DNA remains untouched: bold, disruptive and unapologetically cool.
Now, 30 years on, the legacy continues. The OG “Neon” returns in Big Bubble form — amplifying the Air unit while keeping the original spirit intact. It’s a celebration of heritage, evolution and everything that made the 95 a cornerstone of sneaker history.
The Nike Air Max 95 Big Bubble “Neon” is set to drop at selected local retailers.