Nike Adds Heart-Shaped Heels to the Air Max 90 "Valentine's Day"

Nike has a long history of leaning into Valentine’s Day with themed releases, but for 2026, the brand takes a slightly more literal approach. The Air Max 90 “Valentine’s Day” pack arrives with an unmistakable design cue: heart-shaped heel panels that turn one of Nike’s most recognizable runners into a playful nod to the February holiday.

Rather than relying on graphic-heavy storytelling or novelty prints, Nike keeps the execution focused on material and form. The heart motif is embossed directly into the heel overlay, replacing the traditional plastic panel with a textured shape that feels integrated rather than tacked on. It’s subtle enough to stay wearable, yet obvious once you know where to look — a balance Nike tends to strike well with seasonal drops.

Two colorways anchor the pack. One opts for an all-black base, offering a muted, understated option where the heart detail reads more quietly through texture. The other arrives in bold red, leaning fully into Valentine’s Day territory with a tonal finish that extends across the mesh, suede overlays, and midsole. Both pairs feature perforated uppers, suede mudguards, and classic Air Max 90 tooling, keeping the silhouette firmly rooted in its original design language.

Aside from the heel detail, branding remains restrained. Swooshes, tongue labels, and Air units stay tonal, allowing the heart-shaped panel to serve as the clear focal point. It’s a reminder that Nike doesn’t always need loud colors or graphics to signal a themed release — sometimes a single, well-placed idea does the job.

The Nike Air Max 90 “Valentine’s Day” pack is available now on Nike.com for $145 per pair.

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