# Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 “Honey Black”: Why I’m Already Setting My Alarm for 2025
Look, I’m not usually the type to plan my footwear purchases a whole year in advance. But sometimes a sneaker collab comes along that makes you want to start a countdown calendar, and the upcoming Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 “Tour Yellow” (or as I’ve been calling them, the “Honey Black”) is definitely one of those moments.
I still remember my first pair of Air Max 95s. It was 2008, I was working my first “real job” after college, and I spent nearly an entire paycheck on them. My roommate thought I was insane. “They’re just shoes,” he said, while eating ramen for the third night in a row. Sixteen years later, I’m still obsessed with 95s, and he still doesn’t get it. Some things never change.
When I heard Corteiz and Nike were dropping their fourth Air Max 95 collab for Holiday 2024, I literally spilled coffee all over my keyboard. My boss wasn’t thrilled, but how could I contain my excitement? This black and Tour Yellow colorway is basically everything I want in a sneaker.
Let’s break down what makes these so special. First off, that leather upper is gonna be buttery smooth – the kind that gets better with age and tells a story with every crease. I’ve always had a soft spot for premium materials on sneakers. They’ve got that drawcord lacing system too, which isn’t just for show – it actually makes getting the perfect fit way easier than traditional laces.
The embroidered Corteiz wordmark adds that subtle flex, and honestly, it’s the details that make a collab worth the hype. But what really caught my eye is that Alcatraz logo on the tongue patch. There’s something about that distinctive branding that sets these apart from the sea of other releases.
I was showing my nephew pictures of these the other day, and he asked why they were called Air Max. I pointed to those yellow Air Max units nestled in the black rubber sole and explained how they’re like little cushions of air that make walking feel like you’re bouncing on clouds. His face lit up, and I swear I created another sneakerhead in that moment. Sorry, sis!
The price tag is set at $190, which isn’t cheap by any stretch. But compared to what some limited releases are going for these days, it almost feels reasonable? Did I really just type that? My bank account is giving me side-eye as I write this. But hey, quality costs, and these are definitely an investment piece for any serious collection.
What I’m really curious about is how hard these will be to cop. The last Corteiz x Nike drop had me in virtual waiting rooms on three different devices, desperately trying to beat the bots. I ended up taking an L, and I’m still not over it. The image of that sold-out notification still haunts my dreams sometimes.
The packaging sounds incredible too – co-branded with camo tissue paper. I’m one of those weirdos who keeps all the original boxes, much to my wife’s dismay. “Our closet isn’t a sneaker museum,” she keeps telling me. But when the packaging is this nice, how could I possibly throw it away?
I’ve already set aside some cash in my “sneaker fund” jar (yes, that’s a real thing in my house), and I’m planning my holiday shopping strategy. Will I be refreshing websites at midnight? Probably. Will I be asking my cousin who works at a sneaker shop to hold a pair? Absolutely. Will I consider paying resale if I strike out? Let’s not talk about that yet.
The holiday 2024 release means these will be dropping right around the time I’m supposed to be buying gifts for other people. But honestly, wouldn’t treating myself to these be a form of self-care? That’s how I’m going to justify it anyway.
Whether you’re a longtime Air Max collector or just getting into the sneaker game, the Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 “Tour Yellow” is definitely one to watch. If you see me camping outside a store in December, wearing three layers and clutching a thermos of coffee, just know it’s for a good cause. And if you’re planning to go after these too, may the sneaker gods be ever in your favor. Just maybe don’t try for my size, okay?
