Nike and Zellerfeld expand 3D printed footwear program with Air Max 95000 debut

Nike and Zellerfeld are transitioning their 3D printing partnership from limited pilots to a multi-year development platform, beginning with the release of the Air Max 95000. Revealed at ComplexCon in Las Vegas on October 24, the sneaker evolves the design DNA of the Air Max 95 while integrating Project Nectar, Nike’s new print-first method designed to enhance outsole durability, traction, and surface detailing. The shoe will be available on November 28 through Nike’s SNKRS app and Zellerfeld’s website.

This marks Nike’s second model created with Zellerfeld, following the Air Max 1000. Unlike earlier experimental runs, the 95000 is intended as a foundation for repeatable, multi-color production. Zellerfeld’s Gen3 printers allow for complex, single-pass builds with parametric fit and multicolor capability, eliminating the need for molds or traditional assembly.

Brittany Shelton, Vice President of North America Brand Management at Nike, said the 95000 “brings [Air’s] inspiration to life through innovation that delivers creativity and opportunities for self-expression.” Zellerfeld CEO Cornelius Schmitt added that the partnership enables the team to “design faster, test ideas instantly, [and] experiment without limits.”

Project Nectar and modular design integration

Project Nectar is central to the new production approach. Nike describes it as both a material formulation and a toolpath system, enabling outsole-level abrasion resistance and co-printed decorative detailing without secondary lamination or paint. On the Air Max 95000, the method is visible in a wraparound, wavy band that serves as both traction and an upper embellishment.

Technically, the shoe builds on the Air Max 1000’s foundations, leveraging Zellerfeld’s increased production capabilities and know-how. While the 1000 used a single-material lattice, the 95000 adds a dual-Air unit setup—a larger heel bubble and smaller forefoot pod—nested within a 3D-printed chassis. The printed lattice adjusts in density across zones for targeted cushioning and support. This modular architecture allows Nike to tweak ride characteristics without redesigning the entire shoe.

Independent reporting aligns with Nike’s characterization of Nectar, highlighting its abrasion resistance and potential for simplifying end-of-life recycling through single-material construction. Pricing for the Air Max 95000 is expected to be around $250, though official retail figures were not confirmed at launch.

From concept to category

Zellerfeld’s additive platform—originally designed for custom-fit shoes and small-batch experimentation—now has a scaled partner capable of translating those capabilities into broader retail. The Air Max 95000 represents a move toward more consistent drop cadence, streamlined production cycles, and functional customization.

While Nike has previously offered user customization via its Nike By You platform, additive methods open further possibilities for tailoring fit, support, and responsiveness. The partners did not confirm whether full personalization features will be available at launch. Still, the multi-year roadmap allows for such capabilities to be phased in based on production data and consumer response.

The transition to a platform model may also have implications for sustainability, although specifics were not disclosed. The shift away from adhesives and stitched panels simplifies manufacturing and may reduce waste, but integrating Air units introduces mixed-material considerations.

The Black Friday launch will test whether Zellerfeld’s Gen3 infrastructure can meet commercial scale while maintaining print fidelity and comfort standards. Broader distribution and consistent quality would signal readiness to expand additive manufacturing from niche to mainstream in Nike’s footwear lineup.