Sneaker Anatomy - Nike Air More Uptempo

Sometimes less isn't more; simply more is more.

That was the philosophy behind Air More Uptempo. Clunky design and bold lettering for a sneaker that turned maximalism into a massive trend. Inspired by pop artists oversized objects and graffiti art these iconic sneakers are one of Wilson Smith masterpieces. Air More Uptempo were also revolutionary, because of the never-seen-before use of all over branding.

The sneakers debuted in 1996 and were capable of turning upside down the common taste for sneakers. Of course, they weren't something completely unprecedented. The mid 90's sawed the sneaker silhouette getting bigger and oversized proportions becoming more and more popular. In fact, there were some successful sneakers that actually came earlier and made the way for Uptempo's success.

Nike Air Jordan XI

Air Jordan XI, for example, debuted one year earlier, in 1995, with quite oversized proportions and a color pattern totally focused on high-contrast.

Nike Air Max Penny 

The Air Max Penny 1 also made their debut the same year as J XI and have a lot in common with The Air More Uptempo, like rounded toe box or the lacing system.

Nike Zoom Flight 95

The Zoom Flight 95 are another masterpiece of sneaker maximalist design, even if they are not an Uptempo look alike, they are a perfect example to understand where the taste of sneaker designers was going in that period. As Wilson Smith himself once said, during an interview:

"Mid 90's were just bigger-than-a-lifetime".

And this is a good metaphor to describe the deep changes that were going on and brought up a brand new aesthetic.

Nike Air Swoopes

One last example to clarify the environment in which the Air More Uptempo are born is a basketball sneaker for ladies, the Air Swoopes, made in honor of female basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes.  

"She was not a girly girl. She was tough and needed her shoe to be agile and responsive, so that is what we designed", 

said Nike head designer Marni Gerber, during an interview. The fact that this change of direction had already invested women's sneaker design by 1996 is the final proof that was something huge and unstoppable. Yet it's important to state that Basketball was not the only sport to undergo this kind of maximalist design revolution.

Osiris skate Shoe

It's sufficient to think about how Osiris Skate shoes in the mid 90's were resembling an Air More Uptempo in terms of shapes, proportion and even detailing.

Now almost 20 years later, maximalism is again a thing. After more than a decade dominated by minimalism in both fashion and sneaker world, people seek again for something big, colorful and flashy. That's the main reason behind Air Uptempo recent success. Time is circular and great things always strike back sooner or later.