Here's my airmax rankings (I've worn a ton of them):
1. Airmax Breathe Cage 1 (2007) - the best combination of speed and cushion ever in a nike shoe. Totally flexible upper with lots of mesh (so breathable). Really lightweight upper due to the mesh cutouts and thin plastic cage overlay. The airmax is executed perfectly, not stiff, just enough give. The bread and butter is the forefoot, the only post-2007 cage shoe to feature zoom in the forefoot (correct me if Im wrong there). Sweet color options too:
2. Airmax Cage (2014 - Del Po favorite) - heavier offering, but just fantastic comfort/traction. GOAT shoe tongue. This baby is like a cold pillow on its first voyage. Plush and really welll done. Cushions the front of the ankle with a high rise. This traction pattern is a good on hardcourt and meh on clay. Great for sliding on hardcourt, a little less dig in the forefoot traction lets the foot really glide then come to a halt as soon as the rubber around the midfoot pattern catches the ground. Only criticism is that it never really did it for me in the forefoot. The cushlon foam has a tendency to compress, making it sort of mold to the foot after a few months, in a bad way.
3. Airmax Breathe Cage 2 (2008) - great shoe. Just a few fatal flaws. Firstly the bootie was way more restrictive than the 2007 version, esp in the mid/forefoot. Just totally cups you there (will breakin over time). Traction is as excellent as the BC1, same pattern. The removal of the zoom forefoot is this shoe's ultimate fatal flaw. It completely destroyed the cushion's longevity, as the foam in the forefoot was less impressive than most midsoles of shoes sold at Target. Great colorways and design stylistically, sick looking shoe. Upper breathability was good, esp in the forefoot.
4. Aixmax Courtballistec 1.3/2.3 (2009) - What a surprise from Nike. The lunarlon is the forefoot was a brilliant move. Really well done. I think some of the best things about this shoe is the traction and the last. Really wide/stable last that made every step secure and comfy. Traction on inside of the toe could have been better (shallow cross pattern). Ventiliaion on the 1.3 was poor, 2.3 is better ventilated, 1.3 slightly more durable because of that more thick plastic upper.
5. Airmax Courtballistec 4.3 - similar to the Breathe Cage 2, but with a smaller toe box and less plush tongue. Weird thing about the tongue is that it's locked in place. Hard to pull-up after initial insertion of the foot. Still a solid/well-cushioned/comfy shoe. Big fan of the fitframe on the heel, lightweight but so good at containment. Traction on clay with the hardcourt version is surprisingly excellent. I'd play a match in these anyday.