Nike Air Griffey Max 1 'Cincinnati Reds' Returns After 15 Years

Ken Griffey Jr. will forever be synonymous with Seattle, but one of Nike's most recognizable signature athletes also spent nearly a decade playing in the city where his father once starred. Nike is revisiting that chapter of Griffey's career with the return of the Air Griffey Max 1 'Cincinnati Reds,' bringing the colorway back for the first time in 15 years.

Griffey arrived in Cincinnati in 2000 after establishing himself as one of baseball's biggest superstars with the Seattle Mariners. The move had special significance beyond baseball, bringing him to the organization where Ken Griffey Sr. had helped the Reds win consecutive World Series championships in the 1970s. That Cincinnati chapter eventually found its way onto Griffey's footwear.

Originally released in 2011, the 'Cincinnati Reds' edition trades the Seattle-inspired colors commonly associated with his signature line for the red, white, and black of his second MLB team.

Varsity Red takes over much of the upper, while White breaks up the design across the mudguard and surrounding panels. Black provides contrast through the Swoosh, lacing area, and sections of the midsole. One detail remains impossible to miss: Griffey's “24” sits prominently on the ankle strap, preserving one of the defining elements of the silhouette.

The Air Griffey Max 1 itself dates back to 1996, when Nike introduced it as Griffey's first signature sneaker. Its combination of an oversized ankle strap, substantial Air cushioning, and heavily layered construction helped the model develop an identity that extended well beyond baseball. Three decades later, that unmistakable '90s design remains at the center of Nike's Griffey retro catalog.

The return of the 'Cincinnati Reds' gives the silhouette another opportunity to celebrate a different part of Griffey's career, bringing back a pair that hasn't received a retro since its original 2011 appearance. The Nike Air Griffey Max 1 'Cincinnati Reds' releases October 9, 2026, and will retail for $170 USD.