I brought you a sneak peek of these last week, and here’s a little bit of a hands-on with my latest cop. This is the newest colorway of one of Nike’s most coveted Air Max variants that’s been retroed many times since it’s initial 1996 debut. In 2011 Nike introduced the very popular White/Black-Varsity Red colorway, and in 2012 they introduced the hot South Beach colorway. This time the theme is a bit ironic if you think of it. This pair’s color scheme follows along the lines of professional sports teams such as the New York Knicks and Denver Broncos. But more appropriately for a baseball player’s signature shoe, it adheres closely to the MLB’s New York Mets’ colors, Total Crimson (aka Orange) and Hyper Blue. Here they are:
Shoe: Air Griffey Max 1
Release: 4/13/2013
MSRP: $140.00
Product Code: 354912-103
Colorway: White/Total Crimson–Hyper Blue–White
As the name implies, and as you’re probably aware, this is one of Ken Griffey Jr.’s hottest signature kicks. The irony may lie in the fact that Griffey Jr. turned down a deal with the Mets back in 1999. Nonetheless, Nike decided to release this colorway, which probably isn’t going to be nearly as popular as the last two releases of the Griffey Max 1. WIth that said, it’ll suit the need for a new pair for the spring weather wherever you are.
Nike stepped out of the realm of conventional thinking for the Griffey Max 1 when they developed these. Mesh and patent leather are two materials we’d had yet to see on this shoe. And yet they’re present, loud and proud on this pair. The upper is done in a white mesh — which I’m not a huge fan of — but it’ll have to do. The Total Crimson (orange) mid-upper of this pair is probably what caught a lot of Griffey Max fans off guard. This shade of orange, is almost a bit neon of you stare at it for long enough. Me personally, I find little wrong with it. One question I do have for Nike, is when did ‘Crimson’ become a light shade of orange? This isn’t the first orange shoe that they’ve dubbed Crimson. Nike’s Air Foamposite in “Bright Crimson” hasn’t a lick of red on them either. But who cares about getting colors right? Not Nike.
The saving grace of this pair in my opinion, is its dark gray interior and the darker colored sole. The outer sole is both done in white, with blue accents above the air pockets. The sole is done in Hyper Blue, which isn’t as striking as its name sounds. It’s a nice medium, neutral shade of blue. I’m not a fan of overly white or light colored kicks, so the fact that the sole isn’t lightly colored helps this pair’s case.
Atop the shoe, most everything is done in that dark gray. The gray upper is in a nubuck-feeling material. The tongue and found laces match it perfectly. The outside of the shoes feature the usual monogramed ‘NIKE’ strap, and of course Griffey’s iconic number 24 sits on the dark gray Velcro strap in Total Crimson. All of the inside; the insole, and sock liner are done in dark gray as well. The insole’s Nike Air badge is done in orange for good contrast.
For those looking for a different look on a familiar shoe this season, this pair will do just fine. This release hasn’t rocked the sneaker community like past colorways, and the use of patent leather and white mesh is a little unconventional for this shoe. Nonetheless, this is a good cop, plus they’re not to hard to find.
Thomas J Moore 