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Nike’s Divisive Technical Shoe Now Looks Amazing in All Black

The entire upper gets revamped to give the sneaker a brand-new look.

Close-up of a black Nike sneaker with textured fabric, wavy design lines, and a glossy black sole.Nike
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Ethan Brehm

By Ethan Brehm

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Nike has never been one to shy away from technical sneakers. 

In recent years, however, the industry as a whole has become increasingly tech-driven, with visible performance becoming core elements of design language. Likewise, the Swoosh has continued to put its innovations front and center, showcasing them as part of the shoe’s aesthetic more than ever. This can be seen with the VaporMax, Air Max Dn8 and, most recently, the Air Liquid Max.

The Air Liquid Max was unveiled earlier this year to a polarizing reception. While many liked the unique, experimental aesthetic, others found it a bit too outlandish. It takes inspiration from the poison dart frog, informing the scaly, textured nanoprint uppers and its 3D structural pattern with dramatic colorways. (Even the Fragment collab edition featured a blacked-out version of this print.)

Close-up of a black Nike sneaker with textured mesh upper, glossy black swoosh, and segmented sole.
Even though it just debuted this year, the Air Liquid Max has gotten a new evolution, now with a topo-style wave pattern on the upper.
Nike

Fortunately, Nike has already started to evolve the Air Liquid Max, and we’re already getting our first mainline releases, featuring uppers that are unrecognizable compared to their predecessors.  

The frog has lifted

Replacing the gradient, almost heat-map-ish, skin of the shoe, the Air Liquid Max’s new upper is decidedly more aesthetically appealing. It’s still made of technical mesh but now takes on a more traditional color orientation.

Pair of black Nike running shoes with wavy textured sides and segmented sole.
The new look replaces the 3D gradient uppers inspired by poison dart frogs.
Nike
Pair of black Nike sneakers with visible Nike logos on the insoles and tongues, viewed from above.
Triple Black is the star of the show, offering a stealthier take on Nike’s most talked-about tech sneaker this year.
Nike

Unveiled in Triple Black, anthracite and black metallic, the remixed sneaker features a topo-style wave pattern overlay at the bottom of the upper. It contours around the Swoosh on the side and wraps around almost the entire shoe. Above it is a highly clean design without all the color play.

Black textured rubber outsole with circular and oval traction pods on a shoe.
The Air Liquid Max is known for its “point-loaded Air” system that maps cushioning along the bottom of your foot at high-impact points.
Nike

The shoe hasn’t changed names with the new look, mostly because it keeps the same tech and underfoot construction. The Air Liquid Max signifies a new innovation. The midsole features a “point-loaded Air” system that maps cushioning along the bottom of your foot at high-impact points. It’s exposed through the outsole, giving you the structural shape you see here.

Pair of black Nike running shoes with wavy textured upper and segmented sole on a white background.
Aside from Triple Black, the new sneaker has also been unveiled in anthracite …
Nike

Stealthy trio

The Triple Black is the star of the show, pairing the stealthy colorway with a touch of flash from the outlined waves. For more monochromatic mastery, the anthracite variant is a good option as well, with touches of black on the waves and a completely black underfoot system. 

Black Nike sneaker with white wave patterns and orange bubble sole.
… and black metallic.
Nike
Translucent orange and black Nike Air Max shoe sole with multiple circular and irregular cutouts.
This particular variant features a translucent platinum sole which gives off a glowing effect underfoot.
Nike

Due to its futuristic aesthetic, the colorway that might actually become the most popular is black metallic, featuring a black and gray upper with a silver mudguard and translucent platinum sole which gives off a glowing effect at the bottom of the shoe.

Black Nike sneakers with wavy design and bubble sole worn with dark gray Nike socks.
The Air Liquid Max has never looked better than it does with its latest design update.
Nike

Availability and pricing

Already listed on Nike’s Japanese website, the Air Liquid Max “Topo Wave” will eventually land at US stores later this year with a $220 price tag.

About the Author: Ethan Brehm is an associate editor at Gear Patrol writing about footwear, watches, spirits, EDC and more. When he’s not shopping for his next G-Shock, he spends his time watching movies and planning a future road trip with his family. He firmly believes CDs sound better than vinyl.

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