Air Max Plus

The Air Max Plus: a tribute to a classic 

With the Air Max Plus, Nike brought the classic Air Max from the nineties back into the stores - naturally with the hyped "Tuned" Air cushioning for maximum comfort and a design that is true to the original. Like the original, the silhouette has a shaft reminiscent of a whale's fin and is often referred to as the "Shark Nike" due to its overall shape. In keeping with this, the wavy designer lines are reminiscent of palm leaves on the beach - a thoroughly harmonious model. In addition to the legendary cushioning, soft leather and foam ensure a soft feel. The absolute all-rounder - now as then!

One thing first: you may have noticed that the terms Air Max Plus and Nike TN are often confused. This is actually correct! The Air Max Plus and the Nike TN are one and the same model. Originally, there was supposed to be a rebranding of the original and therefore the name was adapted to the "Tuned" technology used. However, this was not official and Nike continues to sell the silhouette under the name Air Max Plus. Other retailers such as Foot Locker use the designation TN, which simply stands for Tuned Air technology. That's all!

Now for the story behind the model, popular variants and special features - let's go!

Sean McDowell and the Air Max Plus

Even before his time at Nike, Sean McDowell drew his first sketches of the TN - on the beach in Florida. The casual atmosphere and palm trees blowing in the wind inspired him to create the design of the Nike TN that is still so characteristic today.

When he joined Nike in 1997, he was immediately given a project for Foot Locker. The retailer had already rejected 15 designs for a new running shoe - until McDowell finally came around the corner with the Air Max Plus. Not only did it really hit the mark in terms of design, it was also equipped with technology that had never been used before. To this day, the model is still available in stores and has become a real cult object. The soft spot for the shoe even went so far that someone had the entire silhouette tattooed on their foot - including the TN logo!

McDowell was not only responsible for the design of the Air Max Plus. Among other things, he designed footwear for the 2008 Olympic Games, gave the Converse a more sustainable makeover and worked on the Nike Tuned 1 in yellow. Fun fact: Sean McDowell helped design the suit for the first Spiderman film - a real masterstroke!

Popular variants of the Air Max Plus

The original model launched in 1998 has since been released in numerous colorways and variants, such as with leather or as a slip-on shoe. Foot Locker was initially the sole distributor for the Nike TN, but you can now also buy the model directly from the manufacturer.

The silhouette, designed as a running shoe with the well-known Tuned Air technology, has long been an integral part of the lifestyle sector. The shoe is also well-known in the music scene: it is the favorite model of the 187 Straßenbande from Hamburg and is particularly hyped by rapper LX. In addition to its technical innovations, the TN stands for one thing in particular: an absolute classic among sneakers.

But which releases of the Air Max Plus are the most popular? The Nike Tuned 3 aka Air Max Plus 3

The Nike Air Max Plus 3 - or Nike Tuned 3 - has been equipped with futuristic lines and even more durable materials. The visible Air cushioning and other Air elements, together with the soft foam, also ensure the best wearing comfort in the Nike TN 3 - whether for lifestyle or as a running shoe. 

Optically, the Nike TN 3 has a slightly more dynamic design than the original model. For this purpose, the rear part of the shoe was fitted with a plastic element and the wavy lines were somewhat straightened. The Air Max Plus 3 is now available in various colorways.

Nike Air Max Plus white

In addition to the many colourful variants of the model, the Nike TNs in white are particularly hyped. In pure white, the silhouette looks clean and can be elegantly combined. The airy mesh in the upper complements the casual feel. The Nike TN for women is available completely in white, including the sole, whereas the white TN for men is available with a black sole and in a darker white overall. In general, the Nike TNs for women tend to have a lighter colorway than the men's sneakers.

The special features of the model

When it comes to the fit of the Nike TN, you can take the other Air Max shoes as a starting point. The model is not true to size, but slightly smaller. You can orient yourself on the Air Max 97 or the Air Max 1, both of which are similar. Compared to the Air Force 1, the Air Max Plus runs half a size larger. 

But of course there are other special features that make the Air Max Plus so popular. The rubber sole features the special Air cushioning and the synthetic upper, together with the foam, ensures comfort. The model is now available in more or less eye-catching colorways and there are always regional releases in cities such as London or Melbourne. The first 3 models of the TN are also a special visual feature. They tell the story of an entire day: the first shoe was colored for dusk, the second for the night with a clear starry sky and the third for the fresh and bright sunrise - a creative storyline by Sean McDowell.

In addition to the special design, there is another technical feature of the model: the designer of the Air Max Plus was an enthusiastic runner himself and wondered why reflective elements are only ever attached to the back of a shoe. As a runner, you learn to run against the traffic. So McDowell designed reflective lines across the entire shoe so that runners could also be seen in time by oncoming vehicles.

As you can see, there is a lot of know-how and attention to detail in the Nike TN. The model wasn't just created on the side, but the development has hand and foot. So it's no wonder that the silhouette, which was designed as a running shoe, quickly made its way into street style and has been sold successfully for decades.

Of course, you can find out about all new releases and updates here!

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