Nike SB Air Max 95
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A Running Icon Rebuilt for Skateboarding
From the moment it hit the streets in the 1990s, the Air Max 95's skeletal-inspired lines, layered synthetic panels, and eye-catching design captured the era's energy. Skaters wanted to ride it. The problem was its technical running construction made it a coveted off-board grail rather than a functional skate shoe. The Nike SB team set out to change that without touching what made the silhouette legendary.
The result is the Nike SB Air Max 95, a shoe that preserves the unmistakable profile while rebuilding the internals for board sport performance. It earns its place in the SB lineup on pure merit.
Construction Built for the Board
The most significant departure from the original Air Max 95 is the upper material. The Nike SB team replaced the signature layered synthetics with suede and leather, the materials skaters trust for durability through repeated grip-tape contact and impact. The construction is lighter and more flexible than the running original, allowing the foot to feel the board beneath it rather than being isolated from it.
Board feel starts at the insole. Nike SB modified the original's insole profile to bring the foot closer to the board, improving response during technical skating. At the outsole, herringbone lugs replace the running-specific pattern, delivering the grip skaters need across grip tape and concrete surfaces.
Nike SB Details and Structure
The shoe carries a TPU shank for midfoot support and structural integrity during skating, keeping the shoe from twisting under pressure. Nike SB branding appears on the heel and tongue, marking this as a purpose-built skate build rather than a lifestyle retread. The layered upper panels follow the original Air Max 95's anatomical gradient design, and the visible Air unit in the heel midsole provides the cushioning that made the platform iconic.
The result is a shoe that photographs like a grail and performs like a skate shoe, a combination the SB line rarely achieves with a silhouette this iconic.
Nike SB at Island Water Sports
Island Water Sports carries Nike SB footwear in store and online, stocked for South Florida's skate and action sports community. The Nike SB Air Max 95 is a limited release and stock turns quickly. Use the size picker to check current availability.
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Specifications
- Brand
- Nike
- Line
- Nike SB
- Model
- Air Max 95
- Category
- Skate Shoes
- Gender
- Men's
- Upper Material
- Suede and leather
- Outsole
- Herringbone rubber lugs
- Cushioning
- Visible Air Max unit in heel
- Shank
- TPU midfoot shank
- Insole
- Modified for closer board contact
- Branding
- Nike SB on heel and tongue
- Price
- $185.00
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes the Nike SB Air Max 95 different from the original Air Max 95?
- The Nike SB version replaces the original's layered synthetic upper with suede and leather for skate durability. The construction is lighter and more flexible, the insole is modified for closer board contact, and the outsole uses herringbone rubber lugs for grip on grip tape. A TPU shank adds midfoot support specific to skateboarding demands.
- Are the Nike SB Air Max 95 skate shoes good for actual skating?
- Yes. The Nike SB Air Max 95 was designed specifically for skateboarding, not just styled after the original runner. The suede and leather upper handles grip-tape abrasion, the herringbone outsole grips the board, and the modified insole improves board feel compared to the running version.
- What type of outsole does the Nike SB Air Max 95 use?
- The outsole uses herringbone rubber lugs, a pattern chosen specifically for skateboarding traction on both grip tape and concrete. This differs from the running-specific outsole on the original Air Max 95.
- Does the Nike SB Air Max 95 have Air cushioning?
- Yes. The shoe retains the visible Air Max unit in the heel midsole from the original Air Max 95, providing cushioning for impact during skating while preserving the iconic silhouette.
- Is the Nike SB Air Max 95 a limited release?
- Nike SB releases are typically limited and sell through quickly. Check the size picker on this page for current availability at Island Water Sports.
- Can I buy the Nike SB Air Max 95 in store?
- Yes. Island Water Sports carries Nike SB footwear both in store and online. Visit us in South Florida or shop directly on this page.
- What is the Nike SB Air Max 95 Eric Koston connection?
- The Nike SB Air Max 95 has been released in collaboration with pro skater Eric Koston in limited colorways. The Nike SB team's broader mission is to unite Nike performance innovation with skateboarding's creative culture, which includes athlete-driven collaborations and special editions.