Nike invites eight designers to 3D print limited-run Air Max sneakers

When Nike’s first Air Max sneakers launched in 1987, they were something of an event. Not only among the first sneakers to integrate air cushioning technology, they were the first to make this feature visible. This unique style of shoe would catch on quickly, with a growing consumer fanbase and eventually even collectors who continue to seek out every version and special edition of the shoe. As part of its 40th Air Max anniversary this year, Nike is preparing a drop that is sure to excite collectors all over the world.

Nike has just launched an R&D program through which it has invited eight designers from around the world to develop unique 3D printed Air Max styles. The program, called Air Works, will culminate in a limited-run, friends and family launch of each shoe style. The shoes themselves will be manufactured in collaboration with Zellerfeld, a specialist in 3D printed shoe manufacturing.

While we don’t yet know the names of the chosen designers, we do know that they come from eight cities around the globe: Beijing, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo. Nike will welcome these designers at its headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon this May, where they will work closely with Nike designers and engineers to come up with cutting-edge Air Max styles. 3D printing will play a central role in the project: enabling the creation of innovative design features as well as rapid prototyping and small-batch production.

Notably, each of the designer’s footwear styles will reflect their respective communities in some way as well as draw on the history and legacy of Nike’s iconic Air Max shoe. In order to inspire the designers on this front, Nike is inviting the designers to tour its Air Manufacturing Innovation facility, the Department of Nike Archives, the Nike Sport Research Lab, the Blue Ribbon Studio, and the Bowerman Footwear Lab. It sounds like a Willy-Wonka-esque dream come true for sneaker aficionados!

“Air Works is about celebrating the cultural impact of Air Max and inviting a core group of global creatives to imagine what its future could look like,” commented Andy Caine, VP, Creative Director of Nike Sportswear. “It’s also a chance to deliver a deep dive in Air Max history, innovation and inspiration, and to unite outside perspectives with Nike-only tools, talent and capabilities to redefine what Air Max means to this generation.”

As we said, the first edition of the Air Works program will culminate in a limited series run of each designer’s shoe. As Nike states: “each local designer will launch a limited-run, friends and family version of their shoe to be celebrated within their community throughout the coming year, leading into Air Max Day 2027.” (Air Max Day is Nike’s annual celebration of its iconic product held on March 26.)

These products will be manufactured by Zellerfeld, which operates an extensive 3D printing fleet that is used exclusively to make shoes. Notably, Zellerfeld has worked in collaboration with Nike before. In recent years, for instance, they have teamed up to launch various limited pilot products, including the Air Max 1000. In late 2025, they signed on to a multi-year development partnership and launched the Air Max 95000. Most recently, Nike unveiled a 3D printed Air Max 1000 with dual colors.

With innovation at the heart of its Air Max product line, it’s no surprise that Nike is so welcoming to new technologies and design possibilities. The Air Works program reflects this perfectly. From our side, we’ll be keeping a close eye on how the Air Works program progresses—we are as eager as anyone to see who the eight global designers are and the innovative designs they will come up with!