Nike Air Max

Let’s talk about Air technology before we talk about Nike Air Max. The Air technology was the brainchild of aeronautical engineer Frank Rudy,  who patented a cushioning system using inert gas contained in polyurethane plastic. Nike patented this technology, and during the 1980s Nike Air Max became the company’s main focus. 

The first Nike Air Max shoes landed in 1987, a project led by the now legendary shoe designer Tinker Hatfield. An architect by trade, Hatfield was initially hired by Nike in 1981 as a corporate architect, designing showrooms and offices for the rapidly growing company, but moved into shoe design as the decade progressed, culminating in the Nike Air Max 1 – the first sneaker to offer a window to the sole.

Hatfield’s inspiration for the shoe came about from a trip he took to Paris, where he visited the George Pompidou Center. The building architecture, with the inner structure fully visible, led Hatfield to apply this concept to the first Nike Air Max Shoe designs. Since the debut of the Air Max series, there have been over 50 different products to come from this series. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Nike Air Max 270

Image Source: Nike

This lifestyle shoe was officially launched on February 2nd, 2018. The term “270” coined from the 270° of visibility in the Air unit around the shoe heel. Sparked by the Air Max 93 and 180 shoes, It’s the first-ever Air Max shoe built for lifestyle purposes rather than running. Of course, it’s still suitable for running short distances, but all-day use was the main objective of this shoe.

 A majority of the upper part of the shoe is made up of dual-layered mesh from the toe box. In the midfoot, there’s a soft mesh with large openings. Underneath that layer, there’s a much tighter mesh for more containment of your foot. The tip of the toe and the arch of the foot have some view overlay for added durability. The lacing system of this shoe is sleek. The design keeps the foot secure for all-day use. The most eye-catching feature of the Nike Air Max 270 is the 270-degree visible air max bubble. Its air unit is about 37mm tall, and this makes it soft and flexible too.

When you step out with this sneaker, it feels you are walking on air. The cost of this shoe ranges between $140 to $200, and most importantly, they are true to size. Air Max 270 is a gorgeous, comfortable, lightweight, flexible, and breathable sneaker. If you are seeking to get a lifestyle shoe, then this is a great choice. They also have varieties of colorways inspired by nature.

Nike Air Max 270 React

Image Source: Nike

This shoe is a combination of the Air Max 270 and the Nike react element 87 or 85. It has the 270 airbag in the back heel, and the Nike react cushioning in the front. Due to this combination, it leaves an odd transition from heel to toe when you’re walking in the shoe. Because the toe react-portion is firm, while the heel 270-portion is squishy and brick-like on the back, it gives a unique sensation on the feet. The shoe upper is made from a material that’s not mesh-like. It’s not the usual clear see-through breathable material familiar with the Nike Air Max series. So the ventilation is not as good as for other models in this series.

The Air Max 270 react merges functionality with art to step between worlds that feature blocks of contrast color and soft cushioning for everyday comfort. It’s a little bit more comfortable than the Air Max 270, and prices range from $90 to $200, a little less costly than the 270s.

Nike Air Max 720

Image Source: Nike

This is an improved version of the 270 launched on February 1st, 2019. Owing to the success of the 270 for lifestyle use, Nike realized that air isn’t only essential for performance but also comfort. Thus, the Air Max 720, the next iteration of the Air Max series, was developed. This new silhouette pushed Air-tech to the next level; they have the tallest air unit in the air max series – 38mm! They are futuristic (retro future), striking, and arguably more stylish than the 270s. 

Nike Air Max 720 has the largest airbag in the Air Max series. The airbag runs throughout the shoe’s outer edges, from the sides of the shoe to the tip. They enhance height and are an irresistible bouncy shoe. However, this means that the shoe is not as durable as some other members of the Air Max Series, due to the plastic airbag’s vulnerability to decompression/bursting. Prices start at $180 to $250 depending on size. Like its predecessor, the 270s, its lightweight, breathable, and elegantly designed.

Nike Air Max Plus

Image Source: Nike

Over the past two decades, the Nike Air Max Plus has garnered a massive following among sneaker enthusiasts. Designed by Sean McDowell in 1998, the shoe was inspired by nature during a visit to a beach in Florida – recognizable upper gradient and palm tree-inspired exoskeleton came from this vivid experience.

One of the silhouette’s most striking features is the shank, which extends from the bottom sole to the midsole providing stability and protection to the feet. The Nike Air Max Plus reflectivity goes all the way up the forefoot, the vamp, and the tongue. Overall the Air Max Plus is comfortable, breathable, flexible, and true to size. It doesn’t do that well with durability, as there have been complaints of it splitting up in just months of usage. Prices range from $150 to $300 depending on size.

Nike Air Max series is one of the most sought after shoe series for both performance and lifestyle. The series ranges from different varieties of running shoes to different types of lifestyle casual shoes. With so many brands of both sporting and lifestyle shoes available on the market, this series is arguably the best.

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