Levi’s and Nike Celebrate the Air Max 95’s 30th Anniversary With Red Tabs and Big Bubbles

9th July 2025 EDT RELEASES

Levi’s and Nike Celebrate the Air Max 95’s 30th Anniversary With Red Tabs and Big Bubbles

A deep dive into the Levi's x Nike Air Max 95 three-pack, in celebration of the silhouette's 30th anniversary.

Denim isn’t as synonymous with footwear as leather, canvas, or rubber. Sure, denim shoes aren’t new, with many in-line releases having been introduced over the years. Still, it’s something else entirely when it’s the quintessential denim brand, the very symbol of Americana, that lends their expertise in the construction of a pair, especially one from the ne plus ultra of American footwear, Nike.

Two different brands, cut from the same cloth. Any partnership between these two American icons is a highly anticipated affair. Therefore, with the Nike Air Max 95, one of the Swoosh’s hallmarks, celebrating its 30th anniversary, now is a good time as any to have the model dressed to the nines.

At its core, the collaboration is a perfect marriage of American streetwear culture, celebrating the shared DNA of two brands that have shaped American fashion and youth culture for generations.

About the Levi’s x Nike Air Max 95 Collection

Originally designed by Sergio Lozano in 1995. The Air Max 95 revolutionized footwear design with its anatomy-inspired layered panels and visible forefoot Air units, creating the blueprint that would influence its field in the succeeding decades and beyond.

The heart of this year’s Levi’s x Nike collaboration is not one but three Air Max 95 variations, each showcasing different aspects of Levi’s denim expertise:

▪ Levi’s x Nike Air Max 95 “Obsidian”

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Obsidian/Gym Red-Obsidian (HM4743-400) features 14-ounce indigo denim construction with a matte navy sole, embodying the classic American denim aesthetic that made Levi’s famous.

▪ Levi’s x Nike Air Max 95 “White and Ecru”

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Light Orewood Brown/Gym Red-White (HM4743-100) melds ecru denim and matte white overlays, set atop a white midsole and gum rubber outsole. Overall, a neutral palette that complements any wardrobe.

▪ Levi’s x Nike Air Max 95 “Black”

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Black/Anthracite-Gym Red/Black (HM4743-001) features 14-ounce black denim, creating a monochromatic palette that never feels out of place in any situation.

All three colorways of the Levi’s x Nike Air Max 95 are tethered together by design elements that honor both brands’ heritage and hallmarks:

Levi’s signature Red Tab appears beneath the Nike Swoosh on the right shoe only, while dollar-bill print sock liners feature classic Levi’s guarantee ticket artwork. Furthermore, the original “Big Bubble” Air Max units provide authentic cushioning while maintaining the shoe’s revolutionary comfort standards.

Levi’s x Nike Apparel Collection

Considering the occasion, the collaboration extends far beyond just the trio of Air Max 95s. So far, the focus has been on the shoes, Nike’s territory, but the collaboration’s true breadth is revealed as it transitions into Levi’s domain with an accompanying apparel line:

▪ The Levi’s x Nike Trucker Jacket (US$225) is a redux of the classic Type II structure. A contemporary fit, with a prominent chain-stitched Nike Swoosh across the back.

▪ In tandem, the Levi’s x Nike Baggy Jeans (US$165) offer a wide-leg silhouette designed specifically to showcase the pièce de résistance of the project: the Air Max 95s.

Both utilize authentic selvedge denim with mid-to-light wash patterns, creating a cohesive aesthetic that bridges heritage artisanship with modern streetwear sensibilities.

Levi’s x Nike Campaign

The marketing rollout of the collection features some of today’s most influential figures from the worlds of sports, music, and design. Newly minted WNBA All-Star Paige Bueckers headlines alongside hip-hop artist Larry June, NFL player Keon Coleman, and designer Daniel Buezo from Kids of Immigrants.

Levi’s x Nike Air Max 95 Release Details

The Levi’s x Nike Air Max 95 collection will launch on 10 July 2025 via Levi’s official channels, including their website, mobile app, and flagship retail locations. A broader release is scheduled for 11 July, expanding availability to Nike SNKRS and select premium retailers worldwide. Each Air Max 95 colorway is priced at US$225.

Levi’s x Nike History

This year’s collaboration represents the continuation of a partnership that began in 2008 via the 23/501 Collection. The brands previously collaborated on the Air Jordan 4 in 2018, which featured raw denim construction and became an instant collector’s grail.

▪ Levi’s × Air Jordan 1 23/501 Mid “Red Cement”

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The Levi’s AJ4, priced at US$255, showcased Levi’s signature denim materials with custom seam work and the signature red tab placement. That release established the template for premium denim-sneaker collaborations, proving that consumers were ready for the fusion of heritage workwear with athletic footwear.

▪ Levi’s x Air Jordan 4 “Denim”

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▪ Levi’s x Air Jordan 4 “Black Denim”

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“Denim-ification” of Footwear

The Levi’s x Nike Air Max 95 arrives at a pivotal moment in fashion history, as “denim-ification” has become a dominant trend across multiple Nike silhouettes. Throughout 2024 and 2025, consumers have adopted denim versions of the Air Jordan 4, Dunks, and other archetypal Nike models, sparking a new movement in fashion that bridges traditional workwear with contemporary streetwear.

▪ Levi’s × Nike Air Force 1 Low “Exclusive Denim”

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▪ Nike Air Force 1 High Levi’s “Exclusive Denim”

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▪ Levi’s x New Balance 580 “Grey/Navy/Magenta”

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▪ Levi’s x New Balance 580 “Beige/Grey/Blue”

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▪ Levi’s x Crocs All-Terrain Clog “Navy”

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▪ Levi’s x Crocs All-Terrain Clog “Bone/Blue”

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More Levi’s Footwear Collaborations

Conclusion

Industry analysts predict a complete sellout for the collaboration, citing the combination of both brands’ cult followings and the limited nature of the release.

Leo Gamboa, VP of Collaborations at Levi’s, speaking on its significance, said, “The opportunity to reimagine the iconic Nike Air Max 95 in honor of its 30th anniversary was a true milestone. “By integrating our signature denim into one of Nike’s most iconic silhouettes, we’ve created a seamless fusion of sport and lifestyle—honoring the past while pushing the boundaries of design.”

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