Nike Air VaporMax Flyknit Women’s Running Shoe$280

AIR TO MOVE YOU FORWARDS With a reinvented cushioning system, the Nike Air VaporMax Flyknit Women's Running Shoe delivers a lightweight, bouncy ride for a gravity-defying sensation underfoot and Flyknit fabric for a snug, flawless fit. Lightweight Cushioning Air cushioning provides maximum impact protection from heel to toe. Carved-out sections in the sole help keep the shoe incredibly flexible and lightweight. Flawless Fit Flyknit fabric offers a snug, sock-like fit that wraps your foot in lightweight, breathable comfort. Secure Lockdown Flywire technology—strong, lightweight cables that hug the midfoot—integrates with the laces for secure lockdown and stability. More Details Overlays at the toe and heel add structure for a stable feel Rubber pods on the sole for durability Weight: 207 grams approx. (women's size 5.5) Offset: 10mm Colour Shown: Black/Vintage Wine/Anthracite Style: 849557-007 Country of Origin: China BEHIND THE DESIGN The Air VaporMax represents a new era in Nike innovation. "It's changed our whole philosophy on how we design for Air", says Cushioning Innovation Designer Zachary Elder. With the VaporMax, the designers wanted to truly capture the feeling of "running on air". The designers started by restructuring the Air unit so they could attach it directly to the upper. "That was the biggest challenge", says Tom Minami, Senior Footwear Designer—but it was worth it. "Without any midsole or sockliner, you get to feel the Air in a whole new way". In previous Air Max models, the goal was to fill the sole with as much Air as possible, but with the VaporMax, the focus is on using the Air efficiently. "As you step down, each lug gets pushed into the Air unit, ramping up the pressure", Elder explains. "As you step off, the pressure releases, creating that springy bounce". After the seven-year journey from ideation to release, Elder and Minami are excited for what's to come. "I'm super-proud of the product", Elder says. "This new approach is going to be a huge turning point for Air—and for Nike". Nike Air Max Origins Nike's revolutionary Air-Sole unit made its way into Nike footwear in 1978. In 1987, the Nike Air Max 1 debuted with visible air in its heel, allowing fans more than just the feel of Air-Sole comfort—suddenly they could see it. Since then, next-generation Nike Air Max shoes have become a hit with athletes and collectors by offering striking colour combinations and reliable, lightweight cushioning. Flyknit Origins Nike Flyknit technology was inspired by feedback from runners craving a shoe with the snug (and virtually unnoticed) fit of a sock. Nike embarked on a four-year mission with teams of programmers, engineers and designers to create the technology needed to make the knit upper with static properties for structure and durability. Then the precise placement of support, flexibility and breathability—all in one layer—was refined. The result is a featherweight, form-fitting and virtually seamless upper. This unprecedented precision maximises performance while reducing the material waste of traditional cut and sew by an average of 60%. The equivalent of six recycled plastic bottles are used in every pair of Flyknit shoes, saving millions of kilos of material from reaching landfills.