Palace Skateboards has never been one for restraint, and its third collaboration with Nike proves the London skate label has no intention of starting now. The latest project centres on the Air Max 95, a silhouette that has been a pavement staple in the UK since its 1995 debut, and Palace has treated it with the kind of irreverence that only works when you genuinely understand what makes the original special.
The headline detail is a spray paint gradient that transitions from metallic silver at the toe to black at the heel. It is a deliberate nod to the Air Max 97 Silver Bullet, one of the most coveted colourways in Nike's back catalogue, and wearing that reference on a different silhouette is the kind of cross-pollination that collectors will either love or argue about for weeks. Either way, Palace wins.
Subtle Palace branding appears throughout the shoe without overwhelming the design. The Tri-Ferg logo sits where it should, and co-branded details are kept clean rather than plastered across every panel. It is a collaboration that respects the silhouette's existing architecture while adding enough personality to justify its existence, which is more than most can claim.
Beyond the footwear, Palace and Nike have put together a 25-piece apparel capsule anchored by a two-piece windcheater available in three colourways. Statement hoodies, graphic tees, shorts, and mesh bibs round out the collection, all carrying bold co-branded graphics that lean into the metallic theme.
To mark the launch, Palace and Nike are teaming up with Victory Lap for "TOUR MAX 26," a pub tour headlined by London rapper Jawnino that will hit Liverpool, Manchester, and London. The Palace Nike Air Max 95 and accompanying collection dropped on 10 April via Palace's webstore and physical stores, with a wider Nike SNKRS release following on 16 April.