Nike Air 180

Air 180

Back in the 1980s and 90s, Nike was experimenting with its visible Air cushioning technology, and in 1991, this led visionary designers Tinker Hatfield and Bruce Kilgore to create the Air 180 – the first incarnation of the 180-degree visible airbag. In the years since, the shoe has established itself as a cult classic, with Nike bringing it back on numerous occasions.

The Nike Air 180 has a soft, supportive midsole with bouncy Air cushioning in a large, see-through heel unit that is visible on both sides as well as across the outsole. When the 180 first came out, this was a revelation which allowed more Air to be placed within the sole, thus improving comfort. Innovative engineering directly fuses the urethane outsole to the Air unit, allowing it to touch the ground beneath while also giving it a standout look. Meanwhile, the forefoot of the outsole features the brand’s familiar Waffle grip pods for durable traction.

The upper of the Air 180 incorporates a classy blend of breathable textile mesh and layered suede or leather overlays with dynamic angular cutouts. The vast heel panel is supported by a plastic clip that protects the back of the foot, while the tongue is designed to allow easy on and off. Generous internal padding enhances comfort even further, making the 180 a great all-round lifestyle sneaker.

Visually, Air cushioning is the centrepiece of the Nike Air 180, with the airbag being framed by a broad geometric outline that often comes in a contrastive tone. A debossed “180” marks the stacked heel of the midsole, and above it, a classic Nike Air logo has been embroidered into the rear overlay. Eye-catching 180 Air branding prominently punctuates the tongue, while a retro Swoosh decorates each flank.

Since its initial release, the Nike Air 180 has returned multiple times, often with slight variations to its overall shape and structure. It has, however, always maintained its iconic 180-degree visible airbag, whether that be on the exclusive collaborations with music stars Kanye West, Eminem and Dizzee Rascal in the early 2000s, the 2013 reboot or the three-pack of vivid pink colourways crafted by Comme des Garçons in 2018.

2024 saw an even more significant comeback as, following extensive research, Nike’s design team faithfully recreated the original for the very first time. With this came a series of retro releases honouring classic Air 180 colourways, including the OG Ultramarine from 1991, and the legendary Concord, which was worn by Michael Jordan for a famous advertising campaign and during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. These throwback colourways proved incredibly popular, leading to further releases in 2025, including distinctive collaborative sneakers with Berlin’s Pan Records and a highly sought-after two-pack from Steven Julien’s Apron Records.

With its captivating old-school design, innovative Air unit and retro colour schemes, the Nike Air 180 is a fantastic way to infuse easy style into any outfit while also maintaining all-day comfort.