Since its inception in 1987, Nike’s Air Max series has gone from strength to strength each year and 2019 seeks to continue to push the envelope with the introduction of the Nike Air Max 720. With the Air Max 270 boasting the tallest Air unit throughout three decades of Air Max, Dylan Raasch and Jesi Small, who lead Nike Sportswear’s Air Max footwear category, sought to create a sneaker for those on their feet for hours at a time. With a day in the life of the typical grind at the focus of the project, the vision to create a shoe which communicates comfort and support in more ways than one, had all roads leading to one constant idea; 360 degrees of air.
With 360 degrees of air first appearing in 2006 on the Nike Air Max 360 I and II, it was finally possible to create a shoe without foam. Fast forward 13 years, and the 720 is born with an Air unit that is visible 360 degrees both horizontally and vertically, as it’s namesake computes. Going one step further than the previously mentioned Air Max 270, the new design boasts an Air bag 6mm taller, stealing the crown as the tallest Air unit ever created. With height not the only talking point, Nike exaggerates the air bag laterally. With the thickest portion of the bag residing around the border of the foot, this cradling effect delivers enough bounce and stability for daily use to create feeling of buoyancy for every step and stance.
Although the Air unit is a step into the future, Nike brings it back to 2000’s design style of creating futuristic motifs which utilise unorthodox shapes, which may have been worn in the time of Marty McFly. With a wave-like pattern, the and synthetic upper delivers comfortable support while the mesh material brings easy breathability throughout. Introducing mesh pods strategically at the sides of the sneaker for structure and stability, the rubber coverage on the outsole and translucent rubber on the heel highlight the Air Max Unit.
Inspired by gradients of nature, the Aqua, Sand and Triple Black Air Max 720 drops at JD Sports later this month. Be sure to keep it locked on our Facebook and Instagram for all release information as the drop draws closer.
