Stüssy and Nike Collaborate On The Air Max 2013

Just weeks after world-renowned streetwear brand Stüssy collaborated with Nike on the Air Force 1 Mid, it’s been announced that they’re back again with a collaboration on the lesser-known Air Max 2013. 

Stüssy x Nike Air Huarache 'Desert Oak', 2000

After their first collaboration with Nike in 2000 utilising the Air Huarache, (which was retroed in 2021), the two brands have seen an ongoing partnership that has been the cause of some of the most hyped releases in sneaker history including the SB Dunk Low ‘Cherry’ from 2005 and the more recent Air Force 1 Low from 2020. 

Stüssy x Nike SB Dunk Low 'Cherry', 2005

To the more recent fans of Stüssy x Nike collaborations, the latest announcement of their take on the Air Max 2013 will seem like a strange one seeing as the silhouette is a primarily overlooked performance running sneaker from the mid-2010s. However, the California skate and surf-wear brand are no strangers to picking obscure models as a canvas for their work. 

Stüssy x Nike Court Force Low, 2006

Take a look back through the archives, and you’ll find releases including the Court Force Low in 2006, various iterations of the Blazer throughout the years, and Air Huarache Light from 2002 which provide key examples of Stüssy's deep love and appreciation of footwear. 

The collaboration that seemed to bring the partnership to the mainstream, however, was the 2020 collection which featured apparel in conjunction with a fresh take on the Air Force 1 Low and the Air Zoom Spiridon Caged 2. While both silhouettes were released in a variety of colourways, it was the beige ‘Fossil’ that stood apart from the rest. Featuring a clean material makeup throughout the sneaker, the ‘Fossil’ colourway has since been repeated on the latest Air Force 1 Mid which was released earlier this year. 

Stüssy x Nike Air Force 1 Mid, 2022

While the two brands don’t usually come together often, 2022 appears to be different. After just a matter of weeks following the triple pack of Nike Air Force 1 Mids seen midway through May, the duo are set to return for a release of the Air Max 2013. 

Nike Air Max Flyknit, 2014

The Nike Air Max 2013 featured a full-length Air Unit that further developed the Air Max 360 from 2006 - the sneaker that finally brought complete Air a sneaker. Nike also stepped away from the Flyknit upper and opted for an engineered mesh that would provide a lighter feel for the wearer. 

Nike Air Darwin, 1994

A feature that many will recognise from Travis Scott’s releases, the backwards Swoosh first applied on Dennis Rodman’s Nike Air Darwin from 1994 was featured on the Air Max 2013, a detail that not only has been kept by Stüssy in their upcoming release, but is further accentuated in a black fabric material that juxtaposes the rest of the Fossil aesthetic. 

While the overall shape of the AM 2013 has been kept, a couple of key design features have been swapped out which has raised question marks as to the overall finish of the project. The first of which is a change of laces. Utilising a rounded rope lace as opposed to the regular flat lacing system found running across the entirety of the upper of the shoe, the design lends itself to the lifestyle conditions that Air Max has transitioned over to, taking away from its original performance finish. 

The second, and most significant amendment to the classic design, is the Air Unit, or lack thereof. Despite the Flyknit and ‘13 creating huge advancements in the development of Air Max, Stüssy has decided to fill in the full-length Air Unit by creating a singular beige midsole that blends into the upper, sitting atop a black outsole. 

Further details include small ‘Stüssy’ branding near the toe and on the tongue in addition to a knit panel on the medial and lateral sides of the sneaker that cover the lacing system which is usually left visible on the OG. 

The Stüssy x Nike Air Max 2013 is set to be a release that splits opinion. However, long-term fans of the partnership will be grateful to see a return of more obscure silhouettes being utilised. 

For the latest on Stüssy x Nike, keep it Kick Game. 

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