Nike Air Max Plus x A-COLD-WALL*

This striking Nike Air Max Plus x A-COLD-WALL* sneaker is a completely new take on the classic AM Plus released on the shoe’s 25th anniversary. Its all-over House Blue tone, which represents purity, functionality, safety and trust, makes for a cohesive look, while minimalist accents bring a one-of-a-kind aesthetic to the outer. ACW* favours designs based on industrial architecture, and this can be seen on the bulky blue piping of the rubber outsole. Large bubbles of precisely tuned Nike Air are visible through transparent windows with an aged finish in both the heel and forefoot, the former revealing blue and orange tones inside.

Underfoot, plates of translucent rubber have been moulded into different grip shapes, including waffle-style blocks below the forefoot and ringed structures under the heel. In the middle, the much-loved Tuned Air logo can be seen, its familiar hexagonal shape and yellow, red and white hues creating an expressive effect. Meanwhile, the shank of the midsole provides support to the foot, and the text “ACW_TN98” has been printed in grey on its lateral side, along with a subtle “+” sign, to represent both the British fashion label and the iconic sneaker.

Above this are a number of features that protect the upper from the rigours of the walking experience. On the toe is a matte blue TPU cap and at the heel another section of TPU made with recycled materials tapers up from the midsole all the way to the top of the collar. Visible behind its ridged surface are a number of intriguing digits and emblems. On the lateral side is a black ACW* bracket logo, while the medial heel displays another “+”. The centre of the heel panel holds the memorable Tuned Air hexagon, and written sideways above and below it are the shoe’s product code – FD7855 – and a set of dual branding – ACW_NIKE.

Connecting the TPU pieces at both ends of the sneaker is a long mudguard, thus completing the transition from sole to upper. Above this, the familiar shape of the AM Plus can be seen, but there is something different about it. Instead of having TPU ribs laid across its sides, the upper is one whole section of full-grain leather that has been built to weather gracefully over time in a nod to the constantly evolving nature of urban environments. Embossed into its surface are curved bands that mimic the plastic exoskeleton normally found on this feature. Minimalist branding has been laser etched into its flanks in the form of small grey swooshes, with three compact squares on the lateral sidewall and a single one placed in front of the medial Nike logo.

Atop the foot, the flat woven laces are also House Blue, as is the tongue. Set into the top of this last feature is a classy grey hexagon with dual branding text that brings together the ACW* bracket and the word “Air”. The custom sockliner, which rests inside a fully blue inner, also hosts branding effects from both partners involved in the making of this design. Printed on the right foot in a luxurious grey, almost silver tone is a swoosh and a set of Air text, while over on the left one is a repetition of the emblem from the tongue. Then, in a unifying move, both feet have a fine line down the middle of the insole, with a “+” on its lateral forefoot and the word “Precision” on the medial side, just below where the big toe would rest. All of this adds up to an expertly crafted sneaker with a minimalist aesthetic that delivers originality and grace with every detail.