Supreme x Nike Air Max 1 “Varsity Purple”: A Sneakerhead’s Dream Come True

Let me take you back to my cramped one-bedroom apartment circa 2008. I was hunched over my laptop, frantically refreshing a webpage at 3 AM, hoping to score my first pair of Supreme collaborations. Fast forward to today, and I’m still doing the exact same thing—just with slightly better WiFi and a proper office chair for my aging back. Some things never change in the sneaker game, and that’s why I’m ridiculously excited about the upcoming Supreme x Nike Air Max 1 “Varsity Purple” dropping next spring.

I first caught wind of these beauties while scrolling through my feed during what was supposed to be a “quick” coffee break (you know, the kind that somehow turns into 45 minutes). The moment I saw that rich purple upper, I literally spilled my overpriced cold brew all over my desk. Worth it though—these kicks are absolutely stunning.

What Makes This Collab Special?

The “Varsity Purple” Air Max 1 is just one colorway from Supreme’s Spring 2025 collection with Nike, but boy oh boy, it’s the standout star in my book. Picture this: a shoe completely drenched in the most royal, vibrant purple you’ve ever seen. It’s the kind of purple that makes you feel like sneaker royalty just looking at it.

What really catches my eye is how they’ve balanced all that purple with clean white accents on the Swoosh logos. It’s like when you’re making a PB&J sandwich and get the perfect ratio of peanut butter to jelly—it just works. The contrast is spot-on without being too in-your-face.

And can we talk about that “World Famous” cursive on the heel? Classic Supreme move. It’s subtle enough that non-sneakerheads might miss it, but bold enough that fellow collectors will give you that knowing nod when you walk by. I’ve already practiced my “oh these old things?” humble brag for when someone compliments them.

The Whole Family

While I’m head over heels for the purple version, I should mention that this isn’t a solo act. The collection also includes black, white, and Speed Yellow colorways. It’s like Supreme and Nike decided to give us a full menu instead of just one dish. Personally, I can already feel my wallet crying at the thought of trying to cop multiple pairs.

Last summer, I tried convincing my girlfriend that buying three colorways of the same shoe was “an investment.” She didn’t buy it (the excuse, not the shoes). Maybe this time I’ll have better luck explaining why I need all four versions. “They’re different colors, honey!” probably won’t cut it, but a sneakerhead can dream.

Mark Your Calendars

If you’re as pumped as I am about these, grab your calendar and circle March 20, 2025. That’s D-day for these beauties. At $170 a pop, they’re not exactly budget-friendly, but they’re surprisingly reasonable for a Supreme collab these days. Remember when collabs used to be under $100? Yeah, me too. Those were the days.

You’ll be able to snag these at Supreme stores and online, but let’s be real—you’ll need the reflexes of a caffeinated ninja and the luck of someone who finds a parking spot on their first try. I’ve already told my boss I might be “sick” that day. Sorry, not sorry.

Why I’m Already Obsessed

There’s something about purple sneakers that just hits different. Maybe it’s because they aren’t as common as your typical red, black, or white kicks. They stand out in a crowd without screaming for attention. I still remember wearing purple Dunks to a family gathering years ago and my uncle asking if I’d joined a “hip-hop dance crew.” Not quite, Uncle Bob, but thanks for noticing.

The Air Max 1 silhouette itself is timeless—like that one pair of jeans that somehow works for both casual Fridays and weekend hangouts. Combine that with Supreme’s knack for making everything they touch feel exclusive, and you’ve got a guaranteed hit.

I’ve already cleared a special spot on my shelf for these, right next to my beat-up original Air Max 1s that have seen better days. There’s something poetic about displaying the old next to the new—a physical timeline of both sneaker evolution and my gradually diminishing bank account.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a die-hard Supreme fan, a Nike enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates a darn good-looking shoe, the “Varsity Purple” Air Max 1 deserves your attention. Will copping them be stressful? Absolutely. Will I be refreshing multiple devices while simultaneously praying to the sneaker gods? You bet. But that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?

See you in the virtual queue next March. May the odds be ever in your favor—unless you’re going for a size 10. In that case, please look elsewhere. Those are mine.