Nike Air VaporMax – The evolution of Air Max technology

"The Nike Air VaporMax is the intersection of performance and style" - This is how Nike describes the Air VaporMax. A shoe that has been equipped with the latest technology. While Nike packed as much air as possible into the soles of previous Air Max models, the VaporMax relies on less air. The sole shape is made up of 39,000 components, making it more complicated than a car engine. Perhaps is an engine a good metaphor, since the sole functions like the pistons of an engine. Each time it rises, pressure is built up in the individual chambers. When it is lifted off, the pressure is released again. The result? A weightless running sensation. The translucent sole on the OG is meant to give the impression of floating.

The upper is made of Flyknit uppers and is reinforced with Nike's FlyWire lacing system, which provides a close-fitting fit. Check out the Video »Behind the Design« video to learn more about the development process behind the shoe!

Nike Air VaporMax – the updates

The VaporMax technology should not be excluded from other models. So Nike decided to let new merge with old. The result were several updates on the Nike Air VaporMax. The Nike Nike Air VaporMax Plus makes the beginning. The hybrid comes with an upper that was inspired by the Air Max Plus from 1998. However, Nike has made one important change to the new model: For instance, the traditional "Tn Air" branding of the Air Max Plus has been replaced with the new "Vm Air" logo, which of course stands for VaporMax.

But the Air VaporMax Plus is not the only hybrid: in 2018, Nike unveiled the Air VaporMax 97 on the occasion of Air Max Day, where the upper of the legendary Air Max 97 meets the continuous Air element of the Air VaporMax. The result is a completely new combination that celebrates the Air Max while also appearing almost surreal. Nike allows itself the same prank on the Air VaporMax 95, which, as you can already guess, is a hybrid of the Air VaporMax and the Air Max 95.

After several technological innovations of the Flyknit material, the VaporMax has arrived at the Air VaporMax 2020 Flyknit version after the Air VaporMax Flyknit 2.0 and Air VaporMax Flyknit 3.0 models. The VaporMax 2020 is composed of a super lightweight Flyknit upper and an improved Air element. The "Lacing System" also received an update this time around, which has a noticeably positive effect on comfort. What impresses us most about the 2020 version is that at least 50% of the weight of this sneaker is made of recycled materials - the sole alone is made of more than 75% recycled TPU! The latest successor to the classic Air VaporMax is the Air VaporMax Evo. And for this version, the designers took inspiration from the features of seven Swoosh icons. These include the Air Max 90, 93, and 96 models, the Air Max Plus, and the Tuned 99, Solas, and 180+ models. The VaporMax Evo combines the must-haves of the Air range in one shoe and offers a step into a new world rooted in history and innovation.

From Off-White to Comme des Garçons - the collabos on the Nike Air VaporMax

With its futuristic design, the Air VaporMax has naturally caught the attention of many other brands. No wonder that only the biggest wanted to present their very own version of the shoe. So the list ranges from brands like Comme des Garçons, Acronym, Cactus Plant Flea Market to Virgil Abloh's Off-White. The Nike Air VaporMax x Off-White was part of Virgil Abloh's "The Ten" series. Meanwhile, the designer has collaborated with Nike to present several versions of the Air VaporMax.

How does the Air VaporMax fit?

The Air VaporMax is true-to-size. So you can't go wrong with your normal size.