Nike Air Max 95 Sizing: How Do They Fit?

Everyone with more than a small interest in sneakers will have heard of Nike’s most famous sneaker family, but did you know that the Air Max 95 was actually designed to breathe new life into Air Max? Marking the passing of the torch from Tinker Hatfield to a fresh-faced Sergio Lozano, the Air Max 95 (or 110) took Air Max a step further - with not one, but two Air Units stuffed into the shoe’s midsole.

And that wasn’t the only change. The Air Max 95 marked the start of a more rebellious era in sneaker design. Based heavily on two concepts - the erosion of nature and the human anatomy, the shoe boasted a strong design language, so much so that Lozano originally pushed back on the pair having any Nike branding whatsoever. Rumour has it, Nike execs weren’t even keen on the design in the first place, but the project went ahead, albeit with a few mini Swooshes that were thrown on in protest.

Given the 95s rebellious spirit, it's no surprise it was one of the shoes that most resonated with youth and street culture. Having earned its place as one of the greats, it's a rotation staple for many sneaker fans all over the globe. If you’re yet to pick up a pair (or you’re revisiting an old fave) you might have some questions about how the Air Max 95 fits, how comfortable they are, and what the best way to style them is in 2023. We’ve pulled together everything you need to know in this handy guide, so read on to find out more.

We're glad you asked. Before buying your first pair of AM95s, it's worth knowing a little more about why they became a cult classic. Back in the day, the AM95 became pretty synonymous with a couple of British cities, and were given the '110' nickname based on their retail price at the time. It was this high price that made them a bit of a status symbol, making the style the shoe of choice for a number of interesting groups of people. To this day, the '110' name has stuck, and remains the preferred term for the sneaker in Liverpool.

With the exception of those with very wide feet, you’ll find that the Air Max 95 fits true to size, and you shouldn’t have to size up or down in them. If your feet are on the wider side you might want to consider going half a size up.

For adults who often find themselves shopping for grade school-sized pairs, be sure to go up half a size in grade school-sized AM95s, as the fit is quite narrow.

Thanks to its extra Air Unit, the Air Max 95 is definitely more cushioned than its predecessors, but with so many developments in sneaker tech since its release, it's not necessarily the most comfortable pair on the market right now. One other thing to note is the spine design on the heel - this can sometimes feel a bit rigid at first and may take a couple of outings to wear in. That being said, it’ll definitely see you through the day in comfort thereafter, and they age pretty well too.

Given its thick sole, it's the perfect shoe for those who might be after a little height boost, too - they’ll give you an extra 1.4 inches while they’re brand new.

The Air Max 95 is a pretty big statement in itself, so we wouldn’t advise trying too hard when it comes to styling. Sometimes it's best to let the sneakers do the talking, and this is definitely one of those styles. Given its nature, we think it looks worn best casually, with a tracksuit or joggers, though there’s no denying that it looks great with shorts as a summer banger too.

Fans might remember Kim K causing a spike in AM95 searches when uploaded a selfie to Instagram while wearing a pair, but she’s certainly not the only star to be seen in them. LeBron James is a long-time fan of the style, opting to build them into his off-court looks, while Jay-Z and Eminem have also been spotted styling them with baggy jeans. Of course, supermodel and street-style star Bella Hadid has also been papped in a pair too - styled with some cycling shorts and an oversized hoodie and gilet.

With such a long history behind it, it's fair to say that the Air Max 95 has seen a fair few iconic iterations. From cult classics like the OG “Neon” to designer collabs like Kim Jones and COMME des GARÇONS, to new takes by British streetwear brand Corteiz, it's hard to pick a favourite. Because of this, we dedicated a whole article to what we believe to be the 25 best Air Max 95 colourways, so check that out and let us know your thoughts.