Nike Air
What is Nike Air?
Nike Air technology consists of pressurized air inside a tough yet flexible bag and provides more flexibility and spring without compromising structure. The Air Sole units maintain their given form with elasticity, lower impact and keep the shoe snug and lightweight.
Energy Absorption
With each step, Nike Air cushioning absorbs impact and immediately returns to its original shape to protect the body. These innovations allow any athlete to perform harder, while providing flawless comfort.
Lightweight Durability
Nike Air cushioning reduces the weight of the shoe without reducing performance. The lighter the shoe is, the less energy athletes put out during their performance. Athletes need the cushioning in their footwear to last, and Nike Air is designed to provide support throughout the life of the shoe.
Behind the Design
The Technology of Air
Zoom Air
Tightly stretched tensile fibers are knit inside a pressurized Nike Air unit, giving the Zoom Air cushioning its snappy responsiveness. Each time an athlete’s foot touches down, the fibers compress to cushion the impact before quickly springing back to their original state, generating an explosive, powerful response off the ground. Whether elite athletes are racing or training they look to Zoom Air for a fast, responsive ride and that snappy, quick-off-the ground feel that helps optimize their quest for speed.
Max Air
Max Air was Nike's first visual expression of Air technology. Inspired by the avant-garde, inside-out architecture of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, legendary Nike designer Tinker Hatfield gave birth to the Air Max by opening a literal window to the sole. It single handedly kickstarted a revolution in the footwear industry.
Sustainable Innovation
Since 2008, all Nike Air soles made at Nike’s Air Manufacturing Innovation facilities in Oregon and Missouri are composed of at least 25% recycled manufacturing waste. As of 2020, all Air MI facilities are powered by 100% renewable wind energy. We reuse more than 90% of the waste from materials used for our Air soles, to make new, innovative cushioning systems. Light on your feet, light on waste.