Nike Air Max Plus TN 'Killer Whale': The Story Behind the Orca

Updated September 2026 — live size depth re-read from variant data, and the TN collection and TN size guide linked from the body.

The Nike Air Max Plus TN "Killer Whale" (style code CT1094-102) is a 2020 colourway of Nike's 1998 Tuned Air icon, nicknamed for the orca-like black-and-white blocking that washes over its white base. On PUSHAS it is live and authenticated by hand, and the live listing shows the current price. To understand why the "Killer Whale" lands the way it does, you have to go back to the shoe underneath it — one of the most culturally loaded sneakers Nike has ever built.

Nike Air Max Plus TN "Killer Whale" at a glance

• Model: Nike Air Max Plus (known as the "TN")
• Colourway: "Killer Whale" — white base with black orca-style blocking and brass/pewter accents
• Style code: CT1094-102
• Released: 2020, an Oceania/Asia-region colourway
• Silhouette debut: 1998, designed by Sean McDowell
• Signature tech: Tuned Air ("Tn"), caged gradient TPU support, whale-tail shank
• In stock now: thirteen US men's sizes live, US M7 to US M15, several tagged FASTEST. Stock as of 24 September 2026

The story behind the Air Max Plus

The Air Max Plus arrived in 1998, designed by Sean McDowell. The origin tale has been told so many times it's practically folklore: McDowell sketched the gradient upper after a Florida holiday, the fading sky becoming the colour wash and the swaying palm trees becoming the wavy TPU overlays that cage the shoe. Whether every detail is literal or lore, the design language stuck — no other Nike looks like a TN.

Underneath sat the innovation that named it. The Air Max Plus was the first Nike to carry "Tuned Air," a cushioning system of hemispheres tuned to different pressures — abbreviated to "Tn," which is where the "TN" nickname comes from. A wavy shank often called the "whale tail" separates the front and rear Air units, and the gradient support cage was so complex it had to be welded together in three sections. It was engineering as spectacle.

How the TN became a grail

Plenty of late-'90s Air Max models were technical marvels. The TN is the one that became a subculture. In the UK and across Australia it graduated from performance runner to street uniform — a shoe with genuine, decades-deep local meaning rather than borrowed hype. That's rare, and it's why a fresh TN colourway still moves the needle in 2026 when so many retros feel interchangeable. The debut "Hyper Blue" set the template; everything since has been a variation on an already-iconic canvas.

The "Killer Whale" colourway

Released in 2020, the "Killer Whale" earns its nickname honestly. Black Tuned Air overlays pour across a white upper in a pattern that reads unmistakably orca, finished with brass-pewter hardware rather than the loud contrast accents some TNs lean on. Some collectors call it the "Orca" or the "Black Pewter"; the "Killer Whale" name is the one that stuck. It landed as an Oceania/Asia-region release, which is part of its appeal locally — this is a TN that feels tied to where TN culture runs deepest.

It sits in a strong lineage, too. Nike marked the silhouette's 25th anniversary in 2023, a reminder that the TN has now been in the culture for over a quarter of a century. The "Killer Whale" is a modern chapter of that story rather than a reissue of an old one.

Built for

Shoe	Built for	The look
Air Max Plus TN 'Killer Whale'	Everyday wear; clean enough to wear constantly	White base, black orca-style Tuned Air overlays, brass-pewter hardware
Air Max Plus 'Hyper Blue' (1998)	Running, before the TN graduated to street uniform	The debut that set the template: gradient upper and wavy TPU overlays

Where the "Killer Whale" sits today

On PUSHAS, the Air Max Plus TN "Killer Whale" is live now, and the live listing shows the current price. As a region-specific colourway of a shoe with a loyal following, it's one of the TNs that holds attention rather than fading — the orca palette is clean enough to wear constantly and distinctive enough to recognise across a room. Thirteen US men's sizes were live on 24 September 2026, US M7 through US M15, so if the story sold you, your size may still be there. If it has gone, the wider run of Nike TNs on PUSHAS is close to 300 listings deep.

Where to buy the Nike Air Max Plus TN "Killer Whale"

Shop the Air Max Plus TN "Killer Whale" now on PUSHAS, explore the full run of Nike Air Max Plus TN colourways, or browse more Nike sneakers. Unsure of your size? The Nike Air Max Plus TN size guide carries the full US, UK, EU and foot-length chart. Buying your first grail? Start with our guide to where to buy authentic sneakers online in Australia. Every pair is authenticated by hand so you can shop with confidence, with global shipping from Sydney & Los Angeles — look for the FASTEST tag for the quickest delivery.

Frequently asked questions

What does "TN" mean on Nike Air Max Plus?

"TN" comes from "Tuned Air" (Tn), the cushioning system that debuted on the Air Max Plus in 1998. The Air Max Plus was the first Nike to use it, and the abbreviation became the shoe's global nickname.

Who designed the Nike Air Max Plus?

The Air Max Plus was designed by Sean McDowell and released in 1998.

What is the Air Max Plus inspired by?

The design is famously linked to a Florida holiday — the gradient upper evokes a fading sunset and the wavy TPU overlays echo palm trees.

What year did the "Killer Whale" TN come out?

The Air Max Plus TN "Killer Whale" (CT1094-102) released in 2020 as an Oceania/Asia-region colourway.

Where can I buy the "Killer Whale" TN?

It is live now at PUSHAS, and every pair is authenticated by hand. The live listing shows the current price.

What sizes does the "Killer Whale" TN come in on PUSHAS?

Thirteen US men's sizes were live on 24 September 2026, running from US M7 to US M15, with several carrying the FASTEST tag. Size depth moves, so the live listing is the current record.

Are PUSHAS pairs authentic, and can I buy from Australia or overseas?

Yes. Every pair is authenticated by hand by PUSHAS, with global shipping from Sydney and Los Angeles, so you can shop with confidence wherever you are.