Nike Air Max 95 OG "Slate Blue" Launching 05/07 Colorway: WHITE/EMERALD GREEN/LAKE BLUE Style: Men's Sneakers

After an 11-year hiatus, everyone's favorite athletic sneaker company is bringing back blue heat with the Nike Air Max 95 Slate Blue colorway. This new design retools and retrofits the classic OG Slate Blue retro, giving sneakerheads the most authentic re-release of this style since the original.  

Ready to hop on this drop as soon as it releases? Check out the history of the Air Max 95 and what makes the 2026 Big Bubble re-release unique.

The Return of a Rare 1995 Original With Big Bubble Tech

With strips of blue gradient and a tight running-inspired lockdown, the 95 OG has always been one of the most under-the-radar gems from the full Nike Air Max 95 lineup. A less-than-stellar original reception meant Nike locked the design away for a decade, waiting until late 2005 for its first retro release. Fans then had to wait another 10 years for the next release, a 20th-anniversary edition that dropped in '15. 

This sparse release history makes the Nike Air Max 95 OG Slate Blue colorway one of the rarest in the game —a true “one-and-done” original chased by sneakerheads for decades. 

But it isn't just exclusivity that's driving the hype for Slate Blue. What makes the current '26 release unique is the long-overdue return of Big Bubble tooling. It's the most authentic version of the 95 OG since the '90s. 

Designer Sergio Lozano’s original 95 featured oversized air units for that chunky vintage vibe. While the '05 and '15 releases had visible air units present, they weren't nearly as bulbous as the first release. The 2026 Big Bubble reissue delivers a larger air unit for added padding, staying closer to the original '90s street flair aesthetic fans love. 

Anatomy of the Slate Blue: Gradient Layers and OG Details

The original '95 Air Max design drew inspiration from an uncommon source: human anatomy. 

In creating the shoe, Lozano imagined a layered representation of muscle, skin and bone within the body of the kicks themselves. When looking at these men's blue running shoes, you'll notice the muscular inspiration in the layered colors: 

• White mesh upper: The clean, breathable mesh keeps the Big Bubble bold while maintaining a lightweight, airy feel. It also creates the perfect neutral background for colorful blue and green overlays. 
• Shades of blue: The layered blue side panels on these kicks transition smoothly. Lighter tones near the midsole, deeper shades near the laces. It's a soft Lake Blue and French Blue in the lower layers before the panels slowly deepen into richer mid-blues. By the finishing edge, you're hitting a dark Obsidian. 
• Emerald green accents: Pops of emerald green give the finishing touches, highlighting the iconic Nike Swoosh and stitching details with bright style. 

Compared to other retro releases in the Nike Air Max collection, the Slate Blue release is one of the most authentic to the original retro. If your style leans street, you'll love this chunky design. 

Ready for May 7?

A limited edition release means you'll need to be ready to shop as soon as the drop goes live. Be ready to cop the Slate Blue colorway and shop other upcoming Nike releases with Hibbett today.