Nike VaporMax

Air VaporMax

When Nike’s Air technology was first introduced, it was hidden inside the midsole, but in 1987, they decided to reveal their innovation through a small window on the Air Max 1. Then, in 2006, the foam in the midsole of the Air Max 360 was completely replaced with air, and in 2017, the Nike VaporMax was released, bringing people as close to the feeling of floating on air as they could get in a pair of sneakers. 

While the VaporMax tends towards simplicity, the mould for its sole took an incredible fifteen attempts to perfect and the shoe itself seven years to develop. It would involve two key members of Nike’s staff, starting with Cushioning Innovation Designer, Zach Elder, who spent three years working on the cushioning system. Then, Tom Minami was brought in to create the upper and complete the design. All this time and effort would prove to be worth it as, years after the project began, Nike were finally presented with a shoe that was the culmination of their Air technology – a brand new system which fused the groundbreaking full visible Air sole directly to the upper.

This complex sole consists of more than 39,000 components. During production, each VaporMax sole is put through its paces with a rigorous testing process to ensure each and every one comes out just right. Those which don’t make it through are broken down before being repurposed into new soles, so everything is recycled. 

The finished Nike VaporMax sole is entirely unique, containing a series of TPU lugs that work like tiny pistons alongside air-filled rubber pockets located at carefully chosen high-stress points on the bottom of the shoe. As the wearer’s step pushes down on the sole, the lugs squeeze upwards into the rubber pockets, which soak up the pressure, distributing it evenly across the sole. When the foot is lifted up off the ground, the pistons spring back so that all of the strain and tension collected in the airbags is released, giving a supremely comfortable bouncy feel to the step. It is this system which puts the Air VaporMax in a class of its own. 

The technological achievements and translucent, pillowy aesthetic of Elder’s Air sole design are perfectly complemented by Minami’s elegant upper, with both aspects combining to give the impression of running on a cloud. The original VaporMax release featured two similar colourways. One was the Pure Platinum, a simple, chic version, while the other had the same base colour but also incorporated bold University Red elements. Both designs had a naturally grooved upper made from Flyknit material and included Nike’s innovative FlyWire lacing technology, which secured the foot in place. The ultralight thread was seamlessly connected to the Air Max sole with the use of essential materials only, making the shoe incredibly lightweight and flexible. This was indicative of a larger streamlining process which sought to give the sense that you are actually walking on air.

In addition to boasting the kind of cushioning any runner would want, the Nike VaporMax has been massively popular outside of running circles. This is because it offers the perfect balance of performance and style. Its initial success was also boosted by collaborations like the one between Nike and Comme des Garçons, which debuted in October 2016 on the Paris Fashion Week runway, giving the sneaker great exposure. An early release followed for Air Max Day on 26th March 2017, before Nike brought out more models later that year and beyond. It is a telling timeline which suggests Nike envisaged the Air VaporMax as a truly modern sports luxe shoe.