»Hit the Ball as loud as you can!«
In 1990, Tinker Hatfield designed the first Air Tech Challenge for tennis icon Andre Agassi, who wore it for the first time. Hatfield traveled to Las Vegas to meet the young Agassi in person. At the time, neither he nor Agassi could have imagined the lasting impact the design would have on the image of tennis.
Before Hatfield began the first drafts, he wrote three words at the top of the page: »Anti-Country Club«. This idea would become the basis for the entire design concept. Since then, numerous other models have been released, and the Air Tech Challenge series has quickly taken over tennis courts around the world. One model in particular has caught our eye: the Air Tech Challenge II. This icon is a must-have in every sneaker collection and still inspires us today. With the Air Challenge II, Nike brings a true classic back to the shelves. Hardly any signature line by a non-basketball player in history has been as successful as the Andre Agassi series. This silhouette redefined the standard for tennis shoes in the 90s and had a lasting impact on the development of the sport.
During the French Open, Agassi broke all conventions with the »Hot Lava« colorway of the Air Tech Challenge II, giving tennis a new, rebellious identity with eye-catching color accents. The »Hot Lava« colorway not only symbolized Agassi's powerful and dynamic game, but also brought color to the previously white-on-white world of tennis. The courage to use color became the hallmark of Agassi and Nike, ushering in a new era of tennis.
The Air Tech Challenge II, especially in the legendary »Hot Lava« design, remains an essential iconic sneaker that revolutionized the sport of tennis and is still celebrated by sneaker lovers around the world.
In an alternate reality one of the greatest colorways ever was created by accident...
As big tennis lovers and even bigger »Hot Lava« fans, we couldn't resist paying tribute to the vibrant colorway for this 2024 reissue of the Air Tech Challenge II: We're telling the story of »What if Tinker Hatfield did not come up with the iconic design, but some random guy discovered it by accident in his paint workshop during a night shift in a parallel universe«.
Welcome to the »Concept Colors« paint workshop in our multiverse!
And we want to spread »Hot Lava«! We're giving away 100 limited »Hot Lava« paint pots* & 43einhalb customized paint brushes amongst all customers. Instore customers in Frankfurt & members of The Grail Club have higher chances of winning.
*We wouldn't be 43einhalb if we didn't make sure to put exactly 435ml of paint in all pots.
The Nike Air Tech Challenge II QS »Hot Lava« will be available on September 6th, 2024 at 09:00 CET in our online shop!