The Nike Air Max 1 ’86 BRS Powerwall takes a beloved, hard-to-get colorway from the 2006 Powerwall series and gives it a modern twist on the Big Bubble silhouette. The original design was a tribute to Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS), Nike’s humble beginnings, and while some purists might prefer a straight-up retro, this updated version stands on its own with fresh details.
I wasn’t sure about the ’86 Big Bubble versions of the Air Max 1 at first, but (surprise) a sale had me taking a second look. For a colorway as rare as this, it was too good to pass up, especially since it seems like a lot of people slept on the release. Seeing these in-hand, they hit way harder than any product shots online.
The special box adds to the appeal—black with red scuffs all over it—and inside, you’ll find two lace options: a pale green set and a orange, green, and white speckled pair.
Materials
On these Air Max 1 ’86, you’re getting felt overlays and mesh underlays with a patent leather Swoosh. Nothing groundbreaking here—especially given the $150 retail price—but it delivers on the nostalgic feel. A little more premium treatment would’ve been nice, considering these are labeled as “premium”, but overall it’s about what you’d expect.
Fit & Comfort
The fit is true to size in my experience. Some people have reported sizing inconsistencies with the Big Bubble models—either too tight or too loose—but for me, TTS worked fine. Cushioning isn’t super noticeable despite the larger rear Air unit and hidden forefoot Air unit, but overall comfort is solid, just like you’d expect from an Air Max 1.
If these are sold out online, you can try looking for them on eBay.
Colorway: Classic Green / Ember Glow
Style Code: HF0551-300
Retail Price: $150
Year of Release: 2024