One of Nike’s most popular signature athletes of the 1990s is getting a re-release of their first sneaker.
Ken Griffey Jr.’s fan-favorite Nike Air Griffey Max 1 “Freshwater” sneaker will be returning near the end of the year, according to newly shared information by @brandon1an and Sneaker Market RO.
Griffey Jr.’s first sneaker, which is arguably his most popular, has been released numerous times since its 1996 debut and was most recently available in 2021. Fashioned as a cross-training shoe with Air Max cushioning, the Air Griffey Max 1 arrived during an era of other popular Nike training shoes including signature lines belonging to dual-sport stars Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders.
While “the Kid” played in a traditional cleated version, Nike and designer Tracy Teague recognized the opportunity to create a retail iteration. Aside from the cushioning, Griffey Jr.’s cleats and the retail pair featured the same distinct details including a large, Nike-branded support strap and a prominent Swoosh logo across the toe.
The Nike Air Griffey Max 1 was released in three original colorways: a white/black “Freshwater,” the “Emerald” style (which is also often called “Freshwater”) pictured here and a “Royal” colorway which resembled the Seattle Mariners’ alternate colors. With the return of this “Freshwater” pair, it’s not too great of a stretch to assume other colorways will also be released during the upcoming retro cycle.
While the Air Griffey Max 1 was Griffey Jr.’s first official signature sneaker, he famously wore the Nike Air Diamond Fury before receiving his own design.
Slated to launch at the end of the year, the Nike Air Griffey Max 1 “Freshwater” will be available in men’s and grade school sizing. Its full colorway is “Black/Multi-Color/Fresh Water/White/Varsity Red/Metallic Silver.” Retail pricing has not yet been confirmed, but the most recent reissue of the model was priced at $170.
