Review: Eric Koston’s Beaverton Nike SB Air Max 95
October 22, 2025
The wait is nearly over for one of the most anticipated crossovers of the year: Eric Koston’s Nike SB Air Max 95. Official imagery has finally surfaced from Nike’s Beaverton headquarters, confirming that the legendary skater’s reinterpretation of the classic Air Max silhouette is not only real but arriving soon. Slated for a Holiday 2025 release, this drop continues Nike SB’s ongoing effort to merge skate functionality with lifestyle and heritage icons — and Koston’s refined touch makes this one of the most sophisticated hybrids yet.
The Eric Koston x Nike SB Air Max 95 (style code HQ8492-400) fuses the performance soul of a runner with the sensibility of a skate shoe. The colorway — Obsidian, Speed Yellow, Midnight Navy, and Summit White — carries the Air Max 95’s signature gradient side panels, crafted in suede and nubuck rather than mesh and synthetics. The upper fades from deep navy to muted blue, punctuated by bright yellow lace loops and reflective detailing across the heel. It’s a vivid yet controlled palette, reminiscent of Koston’s understated but razor-sharp style on the board.
Nike SB’s tweaks make this pair more than a visual remix. The midsole remains faithful to Sergio Lozano’s 1995 design, complete with visible Air units, but underfoot lies a reworked skate-specific tread pattern, tuned for flexibility and board feel. Added cushioning at the insole and slightly adjusted proportions lend the sneaker a sturdier stance while maintaining the comfort that made the Air Max 95 an icon. Small branding cues — including a mini-Swoosh at the heel and an embroidered Nike SB logo on the tongue — anchor it firmly within the SB lineage.
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According to early listings, the retail price will hover around $190 USD, with select skate shops expected to receive pairs first before a wider SNKRS rollout later in the season. Insiders close to Beaverton suggest internal seeding has already begun, with early pairs appearing in SB circles and on social media feeds.
The emergence of official images underscores Nike SB’s renewed investment in storytelling around its collaborations. Koston’s partnership bridges two eras: the golden age of early-2000s skate innovation and the Air Max’s 1990s running heritage. Together, they represent a synthesis of cultural nostalgia and functional evolution. The shoe isn’t just about retro flair — it’s a commentary on how Nike’s performance technologies migrate across disciplines, from the streets of Los Angeles skateparks to the design corridors of Beaverton.
Collectors are already circling. On resale platforms like StockX, pre-release pairs have reached upwards of $340, reflecting the demand around Koston’s projects and Nike SB’s revived momentum in 2025. Whether you’re a skater, sneakerhead, or design purist, the SB Air Max 95 “Eric Koston” feels like a defining entry in Nike’s late-year lineup — a shoe that honors the past, rides the present, and glides into the next chapter of SB innovation.
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