Nike Air technology explained in English
You certainly know about Nike Air,but what exactly is it? Nike Air is a generic term for all Nike shoes, both for men and women, that use Nike Air technology. There are a multitude of different shoes within the Nike Air series. Below you will get a comprehensive overview of Nike Air shoes, the technologies, the history behind them, my personal review and where you can find Nike Air cheap.
Find the best price on Nike Air
- Nike Air Max 90
- Nike Air Max
- Nike Zoom Elite
- Nike Zoom Structure
- Nike Zoom Vomero
- Nike Zoom Fly
The many types of Nike Air
Below you will find a complete overview of the different types of Nike Air technology and brief information about each type, so you can assess which one is best for you. Further down you will find a much more detailed review of Nike Air technology and the different Nike Air that uses the technology.
Nike Air
This is the original Nike cushioning technology that debuted in 1979. Nike Air gives the shoes a comfortable fit and ride. The cushioning from the original Nike Air is almost always found in the midsole or insole.
Find the original Nike Air cushioning in Nike Air Max 90.
Nike Air Max
Max Air technology has maximum air volume to provide maximum impact protection. The brutal, repetitive, downward force of sports can wreak havoc on your body and your performance. Nike Air Max cushioning is specifically designed to handle the many hard impacts and provide effective protection. Air Max cushioning is always visible in the midsole.
You can read more about the Nike Max Air series on our Nike Air Max side.
Nike Zoom Air
Zoom Air is a thin and flat cushioning that gives Nike running shoes a low profile. At the same time, running shoes with Nike Zoom Air have very precise cushioning for top speeds and for unexpected and sudden movements.
You can find Nike Zoom Air in the following running shoes:
Nike Tuned Air
An innovative cushioning technology, Nike Tuned Air features maximum Air-sole units with individual air pockets. Each Air-Sole air pocket is built into specifically selected locations under the foot.
Nike Encapsuled Air
The cushioning in the Nike Encapsulated Air series is invisible when you look at the shoe. The technology provides durable and versatile protection at an affordable price.
Nike Air’s popularity exploded when they first introduced the Air element under the heel in 1984.
Advantages and disadvantages
Below I will try to give an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of Nike Air. There will first be a short list, which will be supplemented further down with a more in-depth clarification of the individual points.
Advantages:
- Low weight
- Versatility
- Durable
- Specific shock absorption
Disadvantages
- Wide selection
- Difficult to tell the difference between fashionable sneakers and sports-specific shoes
According to Nike, there are many different advantages to Nike Air. It has been a patented solution from the beginning, which others have tried to imitate without infringing Nike’s patent rights. This clearly shows that Nike has had the long haul, and with Nike Air, developed a technology that has been effective and extremely user-friendly.
The genius of Nike Air, and its many developments, is that the technology uses compressed air, or more precisely, gases (more on that below) to provide shock absorption. This means that their shock absorption weighs much less than the shock absorption in traditional running shoes, which use various EVA materials as shock absorption. In running shoes in the various Nike Air series, it is only the material that keeps the gases enclosed that weighs. Compared to shock absorption from other brands, it weighs minimally.
Benefits of Nike Air
Lightweight
As I mentioned above, Nike Air systems are lighter than many other midsole cushioning systems on the market. A lighter running shoe means you have to use less energy during a run, or during any other sport. Weight really matters a lot in running shoes. Since the weight in a pair of shoes is placed on the extremities of the body, here on the feet, a small difference in weight becomes a big difference over the long haul. If you want to cut seconds, or minutes, off your personal best, it can be smart to look for lighter running shoes. And here, Nike Air running shoes are significantly lighter than similar running shoes.
Versatility
Different sports have different performance characteristics. Nike Air cushioning is designed to meet the specific demands of a sport or athlete. As you could read above, there are different types of Nike Air, each with its own specialized design to match the shoe’s use. However, I don’t think you should get too hung up on the details of the different Nike Air models. I have played a lot of different sports in various Nike Air models and it works no matter what. Sneakers in the Nike Air Max series are obviously not ideal for running, but the effective cushioning that is the trademark of Nike Air is there every time.
Durable
Although it may seem fragile with a cushioning that consists solely of a cavity filled with gas, Nike guarantees that a Nike Air cushioning will hold tight and remain effective throughout the life of the shoe. Throughout its life, the Nike Air cushioning will keep its shape, so that after a period of use you will not notice a drop in performance. The cushioning functions optimally throughout the long life of the shoe.
(Further down you can read Nike with a stroke of genius ensured that the Nike Air elements replenish themselves)
Specific shock absorption
In the Nike Air tanks, the air is compressed and put under pressure. To adapt the cushioning and absorption to different uses, each Nike Air cushioning is specialized for the individual models and their specific use. You can get Nike Air cushioning in the heel, forefoot or both.
Disadvantages of Nike Air
Below I will elaborate on the disadvantages I think there are with Nike Air. Technologically, there is no way to put a finger on the Nike Air technology, which has been used and refined since 1979. It is an effective shock-absorbing system that has proven its worth across several sports. Whether it is basketball or long-distance running.
My biggest concern about Nike Air is more the strategy that Nike has chosen for their Nike Air series. The shoes that have been made popular by the biggest sports stars are now available in an extremely wide range of different models. And it is definitely not all models that are no longer sports shoes, but rather fashionable Nike Air sneakers. I will go into more detail about that below.
Wide selection
At first glance, it may seem strange to complain about a wide selection. But I personally find it difficult to make up my mind about which Nike Airs are still for sports use and which are more designed to be sneakers that meet the trends of the time. I am a fanatic, and a big user, of sports shoes, so I can go for a run, a game of football or a game of basketball at any time without having to wonder what I have on my feet. That is why I find the large selection of Nike Air Max in particular confusing and sometimes annoying. The selection makes me have to specifically investigate whether a pair of shoes is designed for sports or for everyday use.
I would like to see a sharper division, as Nike both makes extremely athletic shoes, with a focus on performance for sportsmen and women, while also having a large selection of fashionable sneakers.
Personal experiences with Nike Air
Enough of the acid reflux, now I would like to explain my personal experiences and lessons learned with Nike Air. This can be seen as a review of Nike Air, but it will be a broader explanation, as I have tried and tested many different Nike Air models.
I should probably start by saying that for several years I have mainly walked and run in shoes with less support and influence on running style and form. I have also tried several of the more “full” models in the Nike Air Max series, but not to the same extent as with the more minimalist running shoes and everyday shoes.
I have always been an active person who can always be persuaded to play soccer, volleyball, run, or whatever I am challenged to do. So I have played a variety of different sports in all kinds of shoes and walked many miles in shoes and sneakers from Nike.
Structure and features of Nike Air shoes
In the Nike Air series, there are big differences in how the shoes are built and produced. Some of the models, those that are more specifically geared towards running, are often built very minimalistically with thin mesh uppers and a shock absorption at the lower end of the scale. Personally, I prefer the less shock absorption and extremely lightweight shoes. For beginners, however, stronger shock absorption and better support around the arch are preferable in terms of avoiding injuries and introducing the body to the most efficient running technique.
Sports shoes vs. Sneakers
As I see it, there are now as many sneakers in the Nike Air range as there are sports shoes. Unfortunately, I have sometimes been surprised with a pair of sneakers when I was actually looking for a pair of running shoes or sports shoes. This is of course entirely at my own expense, and just a shame. Fortunately, you can never put your finger on the design, which always hits the trends of the time and goes extremely well with both jeans and a more sporty outfit.
Final assessment of Nike Air
Overall, I have always been happy with my Nike Air. Both running shoes, sneakers and sports shoes have fit my foot well. They have a narrower and tight fit, which provides good support around the foot. The effective Nike Air shock absorption has always been right in the closet and fits the individual. This is regardless of whether it is a shoe that has shock absorption under the entire foot, or whether it is one that only has the Nike Air cushion just under the heel.
You can read more about Nike Air and Nike Running here.
The technology behind Nike Air
The first version of Nike Air was developed way back in 1979. Initially, Nike Air functioned as a cushioning for the shoe. Initially developed for their running shoe, known as “The Tailwind”. Nike Air was at that time a completely revolutionary technology, introducing the world to a new form of shock absorption and cushioning. Later, Nike developed a method of building the cushioning into the midsole. This is the type that we now know as Nike Air.
The technical part
Nike Air technology consists of compressed air in a strong, flexible space. Air pockets are located in the midsole, under the heel, in the forefoot, or both. When pressure is applied to the air pockets, such as when you step or land after a jump, the air pockets compress, reducing the force of the impact between the Nike Air shoe and the ground. Immediately after the pressure is released from the shoe, the air pocket returns to its original shape and volume, ready for the next impact.
Can Nike Air refill itself?
One of the reasons why Nike promises a lifespan for their Nike Air technology that is at least as long as the running shoe is that Nike Air can actually refill itself. This is possible due to the properties of the material and the trapped gases. The polyurethane, which the air bubble itself is made of, is slightly porous to oxygen and nitrogen, which can let in. While it is not porous enough to let the gas inside the bubble escape. Any gas or vapor will expand into an area where it is not present. Since the gas on the inside, which is under pressure, is neither oxygen nor nitrogen, additional oxygen and nitrogen will slowly seep through the polyurethane and into the Nike Air pocket. This can result in increased pressure inside the Nike Air pocket over time. Only when the pressure from oxygen and nitrogen is the same on both sides of the air pocket will the seepage of oxygen and nitrogen stop.
Even this part of the technology is patented by Nike.
Nike Air price
Nike Air consists of many different types of shoes, running shoes, sneakers, basketball shoes, etc. The extremely popular technology remains effective and is a big part of Nike’s brand within everyday and sports shoes. Many people mistakenly think of Nike Air as expensive shoes, but as you will be able to see on our subpages, it is easy to find Nike Air on sale and at low prices around the web. You can save a lot of money on Nike Air by using Iloebesko to find Nike Air on sale.