A rumored Air Max 1 reissue has been confirmed by Nike just ahead of tomorrow’s Air Max Day celebration.

On an episode of SNKRS Live, DJ Sneakerhead spoke with Nike Air Max product line manager Jamie Paige and footwear designer Jon Kosenick, who provided a first look at the upcoming “Big Bubble” Air Max 1 ‘86. 

Designed to resemble a somewhat obscure version of the early Air Max 1, this “Big Bubble” retro takes notes from Tinker Hatfield’s original vision for the sneaker as designed in 1986. Initially produced with a longer Air Max bubble featuring four circles rather than three, the first run of Air Max 1s were susceptible to cracking under pressure and other issues. This led to the creation of the smaller three-circle Air unit which Nike quietly rolled out in 1987 and eventually became the Air Max 1 most people know today.

For the first time since the short-lived ‘86 run, Nike will bring back the Air Max 1 with its original Air unit next year. Paige and Kosenick say the project took three years of work to achieve, noting challenges like finding a way to duplicate the original look with modern manufacturing. 

The Air Max 1 ‘86 “Big Bubble” will launch in 2023. In the meantime, readers can shop the latest Air Max 1 releases here.

UPDATE (02/18): Thanks to @tommy_triggah on Instagram, we now have a first look at the “University Red” Air Max 1 Big Bubble retro that’s expected to release around Air Max Day this year. Keep it locked to Sole Collector for official updates.

UPDATE (02/28): With Air Max Day just days away, new images of the forthcoming “University Red” Air Max 1 Big Bubble retro have emerged courtesy of @iceberg.og on Instagram.