Nike Air Sole technology everywhere
The Alexander McQueen "Oversize" basket, most wanted sneaker of the year according to Lyst, adorned with an air bubble sole inspired by Nike.
To start on this, you have to know the story behind "Nike Air".
The "Air" technology is from a meeting between Philip Knight (founder of Nike) and Frank Rudy in 1977. Frank Rudy, former NASA engineer, explained to Phil his project of placing pressurized air into a solid but flexible bag inside the shoe sole. A damping system based on gas enclosed in plastic. In other words, walking on "air" would provide better cushioning for athletes. At that time, the Swoosh brand was still looking for market shares and therefore accepted Rudy's project. The outcome of this project was born a year later, in 1978 with the release of the "Tailwind" model:
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| Frank Rudy |
The Tailwind is a technological success and also a commercial success. Nike quickly understands that the company must bet on this technology for these future models. Indeed, the Nike Air Force 1 released in 1982 also embeds Air technology, and it is a worldwide success which conquered athletes, as much as non-athletes.
Air was inserted into the Tailwind runner as early as 1978, but it was another decade before Nike unleashed the technology's true potential. Seeing is truly believing, and Tinker Hatfield's idea to open up the midsole to inquiring minds was a masterstroke that heralded a new era of Nike supremacy. This is the Air Max 1. For the first time, the sole construction system is visible, revealing Nike's new air bubble system.
After the Air Max 1 release, the Nike Air (visible air) product line has developed.
More / Additional: In 2017 this is the Nike Air Vapormax release, in 2018 the Nike Air Max 270, and in 2019 the Nike Air Max 720.
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| Nike Air Vapormax |
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| The Nike Air Vapormax air sole |
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| Nike Air Max 270 |
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| Nike Air Max 720 |
In 2020 more and more fashion designers use the design and the technology of Nike Air pairs. Small air bubble, medium air bubble, large air bubble, it feels like Nike is at everyone's feet.
Here are 5 fashion brands very inspired by Nike Air Sole Technology:
Here are 5 fashion brands very inspired by Nike Air Sole Technology:
1. Maison Margiela
Lace-up shoes, loafers shoes & the iconic Tabi ankle boots with the basic shape of the Nike Air Max 270 air bubble.
2. Alexander McQueen
The iconic "Oversize" sneaker with the Nike Air Max 720 air bubble basic shape.
3. SHOES 53045
"Bump'Air" sneaker with the Nike Air Max 720 air bubble basic shape.
4. PREMIATA
The "Drake" sneaker with the air bubble shape used for the Air Max 93:
5. Prada
The "Cloudbust Air" echoes the air bubble shape of the Air Max 360, the first Air Max to feature a 360 degree airbag; and at the same time, this basket with its pod-shaped sole reminds us the Nike Air Vapormax pair.
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| Nike Air Max 360 |
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| Nike Air Vapormax |
