Originally debuting in 2011, the AM95 “Mandarin” was a fresh take on the iconic gradient design of the OG Air Max 95. It swapped the signature neon green accents for vibrant orange hits on the eyelets, tongue, mini Swoosh, and Air units. The shade, officially called “Bright Mandarin,” was a lighter, citrus-like twist on the earlier 2009 “Team Orange” version. Initially previewed with black mesh, the final release returned to a white mesh upper, preserving the clean OG aesthetic. Over the years, this colorway gained a cult following as one of the most beloved non-OG Air Max 95s, cementing its place in sneaker history.
Even legendary skateboarder Eric Koston has a soft spot for the "Mandarins", talking about his memories around the Air Max 95 in a The Berrics video from 2015, waving around a pair of 2011 "Bright Mandarin" as he detailed how the silhouette inspired his own Nike models. The general consensus was that the " Crystal Blue " edition had a bigger impact in the US than the orange-themed 110, which has become a grail for collectors here in the UK. When we sat down with Air Max collector @nitrousoxide in 2024, it was clear the UK Air Max 95 collectors had these orange AM95 as one of its top requested retros.