With each step, Nike Air cushioning absorbs impact and immediately returns to its original shape to protect the body. These innovations allow any athlete to perform harder, while providing flawless comfort.

Nike Air cushioning reduces the weight of the shoe without reducing performance. The lighter the shoe is, the less energy athletes put out during their performance. Athletes need the cushioning in their footwear to last, and Nike Air is designed to provide support throughout the life of the shoe.

Tightly stretched tensile fibers are knit inside a pressurized Nike Air unit, giving the Zoom Air cushioning its snappy responsiveness. Each time an athlete’s foot touches down, the fibers compress to cushion the impact before quickly springing back to their original state, generating an explosive, powerful response off the ground. Whether elite athletes are racing or training they look to Zoom Air for a fast, responsive ride and that snappy, quick-off-the ground feel that helps optimize their quest for speed.

Max Air was Nike's first visual expression of Air technology. Inspired by the avant-garde, inside-out architecture of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, legendary Nike designer Tinker Hatfield gave birth to the Air Max by opening a literal window to the sole. It single handedly kickstarted a revolution in the footwear industry.

Air delivers on our most daring dream: helping every athlete feel the unparalleled sensation of walking on air while protecting the environment where we live and play. All Air soles contain at least 50% recycled materials and are made with 100% renewable energy. Light on your feet. Lighter on waste.