Nike's Forgotten Air Max 2000 Returns as a 300-Pair size? Exclusive

Remember the Air Max 2000? No? Don't worry, you're not the only one.

Nike's turn-of-the-millennium runner never got anywhere near the fame of its Air Max siblings, but it's back, now going by the name Air Max Ecstasy Plus. The pair we've got our eye on is a QS 'Desert Khaki' colourway, limited to just 300 pairs and exclusive to size?. It drops on Friday 6 November 2026 via a draw.

A Closer Look at the Nike Air Max Ecstasy Plus QS 'Desert Khaki'...

Wait, What Was the Air Max 2000?

It came out of Nike's Alpha Project, an experimental line from around the turn of the millennium that went all-in on performance. The same project gave us the Air Presto and the Air Kukini, all marked with that cryptic row of five dots.

Alpha Project wasn't shy about its marketing, either. Michael Bay directed some of the TV spots, Michel Gondry made a couple of commercials and Gary Payton was one of the faces of the line.

The Air Max 2000 itself, though? While the Air Max 1, 95 and 97 turned into household names, it quietly slipped into the archive and stayed there for more than 25 years.

Why Is Everyone Talking About It Now?

Because 2026 has been its year. Supreme dusted off the silhouette for a collaboration over the summer, and Nike has since brought it back itself under the new Air Max Ecstasy Plus name, including an all-black pair and a metallic silver one.

Don't expect a big redesign, though. Structurally, this is pretty much the original shoe, just with a new name on the box.

So, What's on the size? Pair?

Officially, it's Desert Khaki/Metallic Gold/Geode Teal/Black, style code IV7022-200 (size? simply lists the colour as Gold). The base is a low-profile knit mesh upper in desert khaki.

The standout detail runs down the side: five TPU stripes that fade from metallic gold into geode teal, with sculpted grooves in between that give the whole thing a sense of movement. Very Y2K.

Black takes care of the rest. You'll find it on the tongue, collar and laces, as well as on the little Swoosh at the toe. Up front, a TPU toe bumper and a lace cover finish things off.

Don't Forget What's Underneath

A full-length Max Air unit runs through the desert khaki midsole and shows itself at the heel, right next to those five Alpha Project dots. Flip it over and the BRS-1000 carbon rubber outsole pairs black with gold-toned pods, plus a small Swoosh of its own.

Peek inside and you'll spot another nod to the original: a custom Alpha Project sockliner, with Alpha Project details on the midsole too.

What Does QS Mean Here?

QS is short for Quickstrike, Nike's label for limited releases that only land at selected retailers. In this case, there's just one: size?. With only 300 pairs made, according to the retailer, you'll need a bit of luck on your side.

How about the Drop Date?

The Nike Air Max Ecstasy Plus QS 'Desert Khaki' drops on Friday 6 November 2026, exclusively at size?, priced at £165. It's being sold via a draw on size? launches, with UK sizes 6 to 12 available. Entries opened on 3 November 2026, so get your name in before the draw closes.

Keep an eye on our release calendar for more drops.

IMAGE CREDITS: size?