Nike Shoes for Men, Women, & Kids

The past fuels the future with Nike shoes 

While it seems like Nike never takes its focus off the future, the Swoosh always seems to have an eye on its past.

That’s because the Nike Air technology that debuted in 1978 has remained a staple in so many of Nike’s most recognizable silhouettes. Whether it’s performance footwear or street-smart kicks, Nike has repeatedly tapped into its legacy of making you feel like you’re walking on Air.

On court. On point.

Nike Air cushioning made its first appearance in a basketball shoe with the legendary Air Force 1 in 1982. With the word “AIR” embossed on the outside of the midsole, there was no mistaking what was cushioning every landing on courts across the country. Don’t doubt its impact; it’s remained a credible street look ever since.

Air you can see

A few years later, the Nike Air Max became the first in the family to show the world what this cushioning was all about. The 1987 running shoe was the first to include a window that made “visible Air” a thing, and it’s survived as a consistent look both in running and basketball looks.

The Nike Air bag went through variations on the theme after that, leading to the latest edition, the Nike Air VaporMax platform. This brought us Nike’s biggest Air bag yet, arranged as pods for optimal articulation. That arrangement combined with the flexible, lightweight Flyknit upper to let your feet move and breathe in max comfort.

A tribal feel

Air isn’t the only cushioning system Nike has used. The Nike Huarache series did frequently use Air in its midsoles, but the Huarache design drew from a traditional tribal sandal and employed an inner bootie to wrap your foot in cushioned comfort. And the Nike Rose lineup installed a Phylon lightweight-foam midsole as its cushioning system in a running-inspired silhouette.