Nike Air Max 90 “Lucha Libre” Honors Mexican Wrestling

Having sprouted in several intriguing options of the past 18 months, the Air Max 90 has never been short of inspiration. In arguably its most random release yet, its next iteration looks to one of the world’s most cult-followed sports for motivation, with a special-edition Air Max 90 “Lucha Libre” release honoring the 150-year-old Mexican tradition.

There are few things more engrained into mainstream Mexican culture than Luca Libre — Mexican wrestling — with the sport finding its way into countless pop culture arenas, Halloween costumes, and, quite frequently, adult entertainment (so I’ve been told…) It’s been a long-running feature for the nation, with its roots dating back to 1863 during the French Intervention in Mexico. It hit the local mainstream early in the 20th Century and has since been a cult-followed sport around the globe. For this release, Nike has opted to avoid the often heavily saturated hues found on modern masks, instead opting for a two-toned black and white build that mimics classic split-blocked mascaras.

Each respective shoe comes constructed as a complete inversion of the other, i.e., the left foot opts for white mesh, the right settles on black. So goes the story for the patent leather overlays, midsoles, Air cassettes, liners, laces, and soles — everything. The only consistencies lay within the gradient tongue tag and heel Luchador motif that works between soft yellow and blue. The two main fighting styles, Los Rudos (The Rude —the Bad Guys) and Los Technicos (The Technical — the Good Guys) are seen imprinted on the lateral mudguard, with the pair then completed by Lucha Libre-branded gradient insoles — again inverted to each other.

Grab an official look at this Air Max 90 “Lucha Libre” in detail below, and look for these to hit select Swoosh retailers and Nike.com shortly. For further updates on the drop, make sure you’re tuned into our Twitter feed for updates.

If you are planning on picking up a pair on the day, make sure you head to our dedicated Nike Release Dates Calendar to set yourself a reminder for the drop.

Nike Air Max 90 “Lucha Libre”

Release Date: September 17th, 2021

Style Code: DM6178-010

H/T @US_11