Nike Air Max DN8 Debuts with Bold Design and Mixed Reactions

As anticipated, the response to the Air Max DN8 has been divided. First impressions of Nike’s new 2025 Air Max model reveal both praise and criticism, but it certainly achieves one crucial goal: capturing attention. Today brings a closer look at the latest addition to the Air Max lineup under the DN8 series. The shoe sports a nearly monochromatic British Tan upper set atop an all-black midsole and highlights an innovative eight-chambered cushioning system, with variable psi levels specifically designed for walking comfort.

Many have noticed similarities between the DN8’s upper and classic Air Max designs from the late '90s and early 2000s, particularly the Air Max 96. However, it’s the distinctive circular perforations in the midsole that have sparked the most conversation, drawing comparisons to cushioning setups from other brands, such as K-SWISS’s Tubes from the early 2010s and the porous sole design of On.

Set to be a highlight of Nike’s Air Max celebrations in March 2025, the DN8 is expected to drop in more colorways, which will provide a fuller sense of the model's style and appeal.