Side Kicks Streetwear • Global Release Guide
Updated: 11 May 2026
About the release
The Nike Air Max 95 'Comet Red' is one of the most significant Big Bubble releases of 2026. The colourway debuted in 1995 as part of the original AM95 run and has only returned twice since — in 2003 and 2010 — making this the third reissue in 30 years. Critically, this is the first time the Comet Red has been built on the Big Bubble tooling, bringing the colourway as close to its 1995 origins as it has been since the silhouette was first released.
The colourway runs an inverse grey gradient across the upper — fading from grey to black toward the top panel rather than the standard dark-to-light approach — with a white midsole as the base. Comet Red hits the lace loops, heel and tongue branding and visible Air units. PSI (pounds per square inch) markings on the Big Bubble are expected, a detail that set the original Comet colourway apart from other OG colourways at the time. Style code IB7862-100.
The UK release is 22 May 2026 at 8:00 AM for £174.99 via Nike SNKRS and select retailers.
TL;DR – Nike Air Max 95 'Comet Red' Big Bubble Release Date, Price & Where to Buy
- UK release date: 22 May 2026 at 8:00 AM
- Model: Nike Air Max 95 Big Bubble
- Colourway: White / Comet Red / Neutral Grey / Medium Grey / Black
- Style code: IB7862-100
- UK retail price: £174.99
- US retail price: $200
- Sizing: Men's
- Where to buy: Nike SNKRS and select retailers
- Historical significance: Third Comet Red release in 30 years — first on Big Bubble tooling
- Key detail: Inverse grey gradient, white midsole, Comet Red Air units, PSI markings on Big Bubble
UK release date and price
The Nike Air Max 95 Big Bubble 'Comet Red' releases in the UK on Thursday 22 May 2026 at 8:00 AM via Nike SNKRS and select retailers.
UK retail is £174.99. The colourway had an early release at Japanese retailer Atmos before its wider global drop — that early window has already passed, making the 22 May date the primary opportunity for UK buyers.
Design and details
The Comet colourway flips the standard AM95 gradient. Where most classic AM95 colourways fade from dark at the top panel to lighter lower panels, the Comet runs the inverse — lighter at the base, darkening toward the top — with a white midsole rather than the black midsole seen on colourways like the Neon. The grey gradient panels run across the lateral and medial profiles in Neutral Grey and Medium Grey.
Comet Red fills the lace loops, heel and tongue branding and the visible Air units, giving the shoe its longstanding identity. The contrast between the clean white midsole and the red Air unit is the most recognisable view of the Comet from the side. The outsole runs in Black.
The Big Bubble tooling introduces PSI (pounds per square inch) markings on the heel Air unit — a detail present on the original 1995 Comet that had not appeared on either of the previous reissues in 2003 or 2010. For collectors who know the original, these markings are the confirmation that this is the closest return to form the colourway has seen in three decades.
Nike Air Max 95 'Comet Red' Big Bubble images
Credit: Nike
Comet Red colourway history: 1995, 2003 and 2010
The Comet Red debuted as part of the Air Max 95's original 1995 run, designed by Sergio Lozano. It was one of the more distinctive colourways of that first wave, with the inverse gradient and white midsole making it immediately distinguishable from the darker base colourways. The first reissue came in 2003, featuring a plumper heel Air bag that predated Nike Sportswear's move to a slimmer visible Air unit. The 2010 return carried the White / Comet Red / Black palette but used the standard tooling of that era, and did not fully capture what made the original feel special.
The 2026 Big Bubble version addresses what both previous reissues missed. The Big Bubble tooling returns the larger, more prominent heel Air unit that defined the 1995 original, and the PSI markings on the heel unit are back for the first time since that debut. For collectors who have followed the Comet Red across its three appearances, this is the one that gets it right.
Why this release matters
The Big Bubble campaign has been one of Nike's most praised decisions of the past two years. Kith founder Ronnie Fieg called the Neon Big Bubble a "big win" when it launched in 2025, and the subsequent run of OG colourways on the updated tooling has sustained that momentum. The Comet Red is the most historically significant entry in the 2026 Big Bubble lineup to date — a colourway that has only returned twice in 30 years, now with the full-fat tooling it always deserved.
At £174.99, it sits at exactly the right price for what it is. Accessible enough to function as a genuine wear option, but priced in line with the historical weight of the colourway.
Where to buy
The Nike Air Max 95 Big Bubble 'Comet Red' releases on 22 May 2026 at 8:00 AM via Nike SNKRS and select retailers. Browse all Air Max 95 releases and the full Nike collection on Side Kicks.
FAQ
When is the UK release date for the Nike Air Max 95 'Comet Red' Big Bubble?
The Nike Air Max 95 Big Bubble 'Comet Red' releases in the UK on Thursday 22 May 2026 at 8:00 AM via Nike SNKRS and select retailers.
How much does the Air Max 95 'Comet Red' cost in the UK?
UK retail price is £174.99. US retail is $200.
What is the style code for the Air Max 95 Big Bubble 'Comet Red'?
The style code is IB7862-100. The colourway is White / Comet Red / Neutral Grey / Medium Grey / Black.
How many times has the Air Max 95 Comet Red been released?
The Comet Red has released three times in 30 years: the original 1995 debut, a 2003 reissue and a 2010 return. The 2026 Big Bubble version is the third reissue and the first to feature the Big Bubble tooling.
What makes the 2026 Comet Red different from previous reissues?
The 2026 version is built on the Big Bubble tooling, returning the larger visible Air unit of the 1995 original. It also includes PSI markings on the heel Air unit, a detail present on the original that had not appeared on either the 2003 or 2010 reissues.
What is the Big Bubble construction on the Air Max 95?
The Big Bubble tooling returns the larger, more prominent visible Air unit from the 1995 original Air Max 95. It was reintroduced for the silhouette's 30th anniversary and features a plumper heel unit and a less tapered toe box, bringing the shoe closer to its original design.
Discover more from Side Kicks
