This week, Atlanta is getting its own Nike Air Max sneaker.
Just in time to celebrate 404 Day (April 4), four local boutiques — Walter’s in Downtown, Wish ATL in Little Five Points, Sole Play ATL in Decatur and A Ma Manière on the Westside — are partnering with Nike to release the Air Max 95 Atlanta. The signature shoe will run you $185 and will be available for purchase at the participating shops on April 3 and online via the Nike SNKRS app, April 4.
The Atlanta version of the classic running shoe comes in ash grey with hues of red and orange along the side. Nodding to the city seal, there’s a phoenix arising from just above the letters ATL. In describing the inspiration and design behind the shoe, Nike said the process involved input from all four boutiques with a goal to “bring some ATL flavor to the ‘90s track aesthetic.”
It’s not the first collaboration between the shoe giant and Atlanta’s local sneaker community. Last year, for 404 Day, the brand released the Dunk Low ATL as a part of their Hip-Hop 50 celebrations, which also included local retailers. In years prior to the most recent 404 Day release, Nike released the Air Trainer SC High Atlanta ‘96 Olympics and Air More Uptempo ATL. Both efforts came about because of local sneaker groups and influencers such as Senor Kaos. There was also a recent drop from Nike with Morehouse and Spelman.
For the store owners and influencers involved in bringing the Air Max 95 Atlanta to fruition, it marks a change in how corporate entities based outside the city show that they value its culture and grassroots movements.
“Larger corporations have designers sitting inside of their buildings and designing from a desk rather than coming down to the city and tapping in with people,” said local sneaker influencer K.O. from the community-focused online group Addicted to All Things Fresh (ATATF). Since 2010, ATATF’s members have been sharing their love for…
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