The original Nike Air Max turned 30 last Sunday, and the brand celebrated with the world with the Nike Air VaporMax, which pays off the full promise of Air, providing lightweight and consistent cushioning that lasts – for at least another 30 years.
Back in 1987, the Nike Air Max was the first shoe featuring a large and visible Air-cushioning unit. Fast forward to 10 years later, the Air Max 97 evolved with the technology available then, with an Air unit along the entire sole. This is followed with incremental steps that enabled the 30-year legacy to make that leap of faith.
Today, the even newer technologies allow the Nike Air VaporMax unit to act as a standalone outsole: previous Air units had to be insulated by a secondary rubber layer for protection and improved durability, but today’s new innovation empowered the designers to incorporate the Air and exterior layer into one holistic VaporMax Air unit; whereas previous units needed to be shaped with inflexible structural areas, the newest instalment maintains its given form independently, and with much more elasticity.
Paired with the Nike Flyknit upper that integrates precise support and further reduces the shoe’s weight and bulk of a foam layer, the new midsole achieves greater flexibility and spring without compromising the structure, not to mention, a bolstering sensation and greater energy response.