The Nike Air Max Plus, also known as the Air Max TN or Tuned Air, was first released in 1998. Designed by Sean McDowell, the Air Max Plus was another groundbreaking iteration of the Air Max line. It combined comfort, performance, and striking aesthetics. The model quickly gained popularity not just among athletes, but also as a lifestyle sneaker.
The Air Max Plus introduced Nike's Tuned Air technology, which combined individual Air units with a Tuned mechanical system to offer enhanced support and stability. This setup allowed the shoe to provide targeted cushioning and support for specific areas of the foot, depending on the needs of the wearer.
One of the most iconic aspects of the Air Max Plus is its visually striking upper, which features a gradient colorway and wavy TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) overlays inspired by palm trees swaying in the wind.

The Air Tailwind IV introduced Air Max cushioning in the heel and forefoot area of the Tailwind series.
The shoe was released in several colorways, including the iconic "Volt" colorway, which featured a bright neon green and black color scheme.

The Air Max Deluxe was one of the most avant-garde designs of the Air Max Line.
It came with full-length air cushion that matched the 97 and 98 models and was one of Nike's first shoes to feature a full-length digital print on neoprene. Along with the streamlined reflective design and wide stitching, the shoe made bold announcements.

The Air Tuned Max featured a unique cushioning system called "Tuned Air", which was a series of small air pockets placed strategically throughout the sole of the shoe first introduced by the Air Max Plus the year before.
This technology was designed to provide a customized level of cushioning and support for the wearer, depending on the pressure points of their feet.
One of the most distinctive features of the Air Tuned Max was its color-design, which featured rarely seen gradient panels and futuristic-looking detailing on the upper.
In a bold move, comparable to the design step between Air Jordan 1 and 2, the Swoosh disappeared from the side panels completely and was only visible in a mini version on the heel of the model.

The Nike Air Max Plus II was released in 2000 as a follow-up to the original Air Max Plus, which was first introduced in 1998. The Air Max Plus II was designed by Sean McDowell, who also created the original Air Max Plus.
Like its predecessor, the Air Max Plus II featured the signature "Tuned Air" cushioning system, which was designed to provide targeted support and cushioning to the foot. The upper of the shoe was made from a combination of synthetic materials and mesh, which provided breathability and support.
The shoe also had a "floating" plastic cage around the midfoot that was meant to provide additional support and give the shoe a futuristic look.

The Air Tailwind V was designed by Aaron Cooper, who also created the Air Tailwind IV, as an updated version of that popular model. It came with pre-shaped structured mesh upper.
Although the Air Tailwind V was not as iconic as some of Nike's other Air Max models from that era, it remains a classic sneaker in its own right.

The Air Max 2003 was designed by Sergio Lozano, who also designed the iconic Air Max 95 model.
The shoe had a seamless monochromatic upper with minimal overlays.

The Nike Air Max Plus III was designed by Sean McDowell, who also created the original Air Max Plus and the Air Tuned Max.
The model had a plastic exoskeleton that wrapped around the midfoot for added support, it gave the model a futuristic look.

The Air Max 360 was a breakthrough release from David Forland, Director of Cushioning Innovation at Nike and offered a complete see-through 360 degrees air unit.
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The Air Max 360 was the realization of Nike’s initial vision of running completely on air. A dream achieved, a goal accomplished.
The flexible, thermoformed Air unit - delivered without the excess of foam - was complemented with a laser-cut upper that drew inspiration from the Air Max’s original red, grey and white colorway.

This model was the only Air Max featuring Caged Air. A technology which is traditionally only used in Zoom Air cushioned soles.
The insole offered a graphic design which showed the history of the Air Max line so far.
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The Air Max 2009 featured full-length Max Air cushioning but came with more flexibility through deep flex grooves integrated into the outsole.
It also featured the new Flywire technology, which consists of strategically placed, lightweight filaments that wrap around the foot like cables on a suspension bridge.

The Air Max 2010 was like and upgraded version of its predecessor. It also featured a full-length Max Air unit for maximum cushioning and impact protection. The upper came also equipped with the latest Flywire threads. The midsole of the Air Max 2010 incorporated Cushlon cushioning which is a lighter but more responsive phylon foam.

The Air Max 2011 introduced Nike's Hyperfuse technology on its upper. It fused three different layers of material together to create a seamless and durable upper. This helped to reduce the weight of the shoe while also improving its durability. It also offered runners to place the Nike+ sensor in the sole to track their running performance.

The Air Max 2012's upper is inspired by the anatomy and muscles of the foot. The aim of the Hyperfuse construction was the creation of a barefoot running feeling.

The 13s were lighter, more flexible and bouncier. They came with a sleek mesh and a fully transparent midsole.
Kathy Gomez, Vice President, Footwear Innovation about the Air Max 2013: "By the time we got to the Max 13, the shoe was 15 percent lighter, had more air under the foot, and was two times more flexible in the forefoot than the one that came before it."

After the Hyperfuse years, the upper of the Air Max 2013 was completely revamped. The Flyknit technology, which Nike introduced in 2012 was now ready for the Air Max line.
The Air Max Flyknit featured a full Flyknit upper and not only a sock-like fit but a increasement of this model's breathability.
The colors used on the upper were extended on the full-length Air unit and thereby united performance and style in a fashionable look.

The Air Max Zero was inspired by Tinker Hatfield's original sketch for the Air Max 1, which he created in the 1980s. Therefore it was marketed with the slogan "The One before the One".
Back in 1987 Nike decided that this design would be too futuristic for a running shoe in the 1980s. So it premiered on the second Air Max Day, in 2015.
The Air Max Zero is the first Air Max to feature Tinker Hatfield's signature on the shoe, insole and box.

The Air Max 2015 continued the Flyknit made upper from its predecessor but included 5 strings spanning from the lacing area to the midsole for more stability. It was equipped with taped seams previously only known from performance apparel and showed a mirrored large Swoosh on the heel panel. The midsole see-through air chamber was labeled with the Air Max logo.

With only a thin film separating your foot from the cushion, this shoe is the closest you can get to walking on air.
It was the first Air Max model going withouth foam or rubber in the midsole or outsole. Instead it featured several air filled pouches which were not connected to each other.
Comparable to the Air Max 360 "One Time Only" models it outsole was attached to "hybrid versions" of the Air Max 95, 97, and 360.

The Nike Air Max 270 was designed by a team led by Dylan Raasch and Jesi Small, who were inspired by Nike's iconic Air Max models from the 1990s. The Air Max 270 is named for its unique Air-Sole unit, which measures 270 degrees around the heel and is the largest Air-Sole unit in Nike's history.
Dylan Raasch started working at Nike in 2009 as part of the Running team, where he also created the Roshe, one of the most commercially successful Nike models.
The Air Max 270 was the most successful Air Max launch in the brand’s history.

The Air Max 720 brought back the extended visible Air unit and the most voluminous one yet. Pre-shaped lines on the upper, which form a wavy pattern, give the Air Max 720 a futuristic look. The first models came in "Northern Lights" inspired colorways.

As its name suggests, the Air Max 2090 can be seen as a look into the future of an Air Max 90 design approach which can be seen on the heel counter, mudguard and the silver highlighted area around the visible Air unit.

The Air Max Pre-Day which was introduced on Air Max Day 2021 is a modern take on Nike's classic running shoes from the 1970s, featuring a mix of vintage and contemporary design elements.
The fully visible Air unit is a classic example of reductive design, a practice that removes elements from an item to highlight its most vital component.
The name is inspired by the legendary Steve Prefontaine (1951-1975). He  was an American long-distance runner who is considered one of the greatest runners in American history. Prefontaine was born and raised in Coos Bay, Oregon, and began running competitively in high school.
After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Oregon, where he continued his running career under legendary coach Bill Bowerman.
Prefontaine became a three-time NCAA cross-country champion and set numerous American records in middle- and long-distance events, including the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Prefontaine's competitive spirit and fearless approach to racing made him a fan favorite and earned him the nickname "Pre". He was known for his aggressive front-running style, pushing the pace from the beginning and daring his opponents to keep up.
The OG colorway of the Air Max Pre-Day could be a hint to Steve Prefontaine's Oregon Waffle colorway which was yellow and green. These colors mixed come out to a mean green, as featured on the upper of the Air Max Pre-Day.
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The Air Max 2021 continued the idea of reductive design as it also showed a partly detached Air bubble in the heel of this model. Reductive design is often associated with the philosophy of minimalism, which values simplicity, functionality, and efficiency.

The Air Max Motif found its inspiration in the initial Air Max 1 design by Tinker Hatfield. The "Sport Blue" is also a hat-tip to an OG colorway of the Air Max 1.

The Air Max Scorpion was created in just 18 months, the Air Max Scorpion implemented 3D VR design software, computational design, engineering tools and decades of vertical Air Manufacturing Innovation (Air MI) knowledge to bring the revolutionary design to market.
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The result of all this innovation leads to the most Air offered in terms of pounds per square inch, pressure graded across all sizes. In addition to the Air unit, the latest Air system is balanced by a Flyknit chenille upper in which short fibers are held perpendicularly in place by two twisted vertical core yarns to form a soft pile texture, leading to a sensation of comfort in every step.