Visible Flair: On-Foot with the Nike Air Max 180 Desert Sand

The return of the NIKE AIR MAX 180 has been a somewhat-refined affair, with several great colourways quietly dropping over the past few months. This new Desert Sand edition shows the classic running design in a slightly different light – one that we like a lot – so we picked up a pair to see how they looked on-foot…

An incredible shoe from the combined minds of both Tinker Hatfield and Bruce Kilgore, the launch campaign surrounding the Air Max 180 back in 1991 was perhaps one of the most memorable in modern history. Ralph Steadman’s amazing inky illustrations, some clever taglines and bold identity and layout work from Wieden + Kennedy provided the fanfare for this sleek, aerodynamic running shoe with the first 180-degree visible Air bubble. The 180 has reappeared several times since its debut, but remains a relatively unsung member of the Air Max family, especially when compared to other models such as the Air Max 1 or Air Max 90. Where some shoes struggle with making the leap from performance to lifestyle, the 180 has managed this easily – and this new Desert Sand colourway proves it once again. Featuring tumbled leather panels on top of a textile layer, it could easily be mistaken as a collaboration release. Comfortable, lightweight and smart, the 180 is one shoe that needs to be explored further.

The NIKE AIR MAX 180 is AVAILABLE NOW: check the full Air Max collection at NIKE via the banner underneath.