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Your complete guide to Nike tech
Nike has a long list of technologies with cool names, but do you know what goes into making them or how they benefit you? Our Nike technologies guide breaks it down.
React, Flyknit and Zoom Air are just some of the names associated with the Nike sneakers you will spot on themshelves. Each one has been developed to resolve different issues and offer distinct performance underfoot. As the needs of athletes and sneakerheads have evolved, Nike has refined and improved its lineup of sneaker tech. Our Nike technologies guide is a breakdown of the Nike sneaker technologies you must know.
Air Max
Air Max is one of Nike’s most tried-and-tested midsole technologies. It was first utilized in the Nike Tailwind which dropped in 1978, but only took off in 1987 when it was featured as a visible heel unit in the Air Max 1. Made of pressurized air inside a tough, flexible bag, Air Max units offer flexibility, impact absorption and energy return without compromising the structure of the midsole.
Highlights
High energy absorption – Absorbs impact and springs back to return to its original shape.
Lightweight – Keeps the sneaker light and reduces energy consumption with each stride.
Sustainably made – All Air soles contain at least 50% recycled materials and are made with 100% renewable energy.
Comfortable and stable – Perfect for daily use.
Zoom Air
Zoom Air is an evolution of the Air Max, adding the tightly stretched fibers into the pressurized air units. This improves impact absorption and responsive energy return. Unveiled in the 90’s, Zoom Air was designed for fast movements and activities while reducing stress on joints, muscles and tendons. Zoom Air is still used in most performance running sneakers released. In fact, the record-shattering Alphafly Next% features Zoom Air pods in the forefoot.
Highlights
High energy absorption – Absorbs impact and springs back to return to its original shape.
Enhanced energy return – The addition of tightly stretched tensile fiber within the Air unit boosts responsiveness.
Supports aggressive movements and sports – Requires strong impact to compress, making it a stable midsole.
Flyknit
The creation of the Flyknit was an exercise in footwear weight reduction. The Flyknit is woven with strong but lightweight strands to form a sock-like one-piece upper that secures a foot perfectly in place. The knit is woven differently at various points to tighten or loosen the lockdown, so there is no need for overlays.
Highlights
Lightweight – Its knitted, single-layer construction keeps the shoe light.
Breathable – The lack of overlays and porous construction allows for free airflow, keeping the feet cool.
Supportive – Varying woven pattern enables changing lockdown at different points of the upper.
Sustainably made – Produces 60% less waste than traditional cut-and-sew methods.
Crater Foam
Crater Foam, first unveiled in the Space Hippie collection, is an outsole technology made from Nike Grind – a composite made from recycled rubber waste from Nike’s production line. As these are sourced and not made, each outsole is uniquely speckled, resulting in no two shoes looking the same.
Highlights
Durable – Specific points in the outsole are enhanced to boost durability.
Organic design – The Crater Foam midsoles are designed to look like moon rocks.
Sustainable – Crater Foam is made from used plastic bottles, foams and grinds to create a shoe that’s at least 25% recycled material by weight.
Cushioned ride – The composite of foam and grind rubber offers a moderately cushioned ride.
Nike Free Terra Vista Next Nature
S$215
Nike Air Force 1 Crater Flyknit Next Nature
S$205
React
Nike designed React to help reduce the weight of running sneakers, offer better cushioning and enhance energy return. After tinkering with Foam composites, thus was the lightweightReact born. According to Nike, it offers 13% greater energy return as compared to Lunarlon, their softest foam at the time. It also offers greater comfort underfoot and is durable enough to not require an outsole.
Highlights
Durable – Can withstand direct abrasion and does not require an outsole.
Soft step-in comfort – Comfortable from the first step; requires no breaking-in period.
Lightweight – The React foam does not require an outsole, which reduces the weight of the sneakers.
Stable – Especially with the Infinity Run, React can be shaped and moulded to offer added stability and reduce running injury.
Flyease
Nike Flyease is an inclusive approach to footwear design. The result is a laceless pair of shoes for people of abilities that is easy to put on and take off, hands-free. In most iterations of Flyease, the sneakers get a heel clip that allows users to simply slide on any sneaker without having to undo or tie laces.
Highlights
Variety – Multiple forms of Flyease to choose from that cater to various needs and abilities.
Fuss-free – Provides predictable and consistent lockdown with minimal need for adjustment.
Widely adapted – Has been applied across a multitude of performance and lifestyle footwear.
Iconic sneakers
Want to explore Nike’s full range of footwear? Head to Nike.com to shop their full range of lifestyle and performance sneakers.
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