Nike Air Max 1 “OG Varsity Red”

The Nike Air Max 1 with style code 2377, released on March 26, 1987, is one of the most iconic sneakers in footwear history. Designed by legendary Nike architect Tinker Hatfield, the Air Max 1 revolutionized the sneaker world by introducing the first-ever visible Air unit in the midsole—a daring design choice that forever changed the way Nike engineered and marketed running shoes.

Historical Background

In the mid-1980s, Nike was facing stiff competition from rivals like Reebok and adidas. To reassert Nike’s dominance in performance running, Tinker Hatfield—originally an architect who worked on Nike’s campus buildings—was asked to bring fresh ideas to the footwear division. Inspired by the exposed architecture of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, which proudly displayed its structural elements on the outside, Hatfield applied this concept to Nike’s Air cushioning system: instead of hiding the Air unit, he made it visible.

This bold design move was controversial within Nike at the time—many feared runners would not trust a “window” in the sole—but Hatfield pushed the project forward. The gamble paid off: the Air Max 1 was an instant success, both for athletes and for the emerging lifestyle market.

Design Details

• Style Code: 2377

• Colorway: White / Neutral Grey / Varsity Red / Black

• Materials: Breathable white mesh base, light grey suede overlays, and bold red synthetic leather on the mudguard and Swoosh.

• Midsole: White foam midsole featuring the revolutionary Visible Air unit in the heel.

• Outsole: Black waffle-pattern rubber for traction.

Legacy

The Air Max 1 didn’t just introduce a new shoe—it launched an entire line. The “Air Max” series has become one of Nike’s most important franchises, spanning decades and countless models. Sneaker enthusiasts often credit the Air Max 1 as the shoe that blurred the lines between performance and streetwear, leading to its continued relevance in both running and fashion culture.

Today, the original Air Max 1 OG Varsity Red (2377) is considered a grail for collectors and has been reissued multiple times (1992, 2002, 2009, 2017, and 2023 with the “Big Bubble” edition). Its impact on sneaker design and culture remains unmatched, cementing its place as a true classic in sneaker history.