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August 8, 2019

Nike Air VaporMax DM/S/X: Old Name, New Technology

More goodness from the swoosh masterminds in the form of the Nike Air VaporMax DM/S/X, check it out below…

Unapologetically fusing together some of Nike’s most forward-thinking technology into a robust and character rich profile, the Nike VaporMax DM/S/X not only demands attention, but makes a powerful statement to all those who would dare challenge the Goddess of victory for the top spot on the innovation podium.

Taking an experimental design direction to it’s very limits, the trainers find their name rooted deep in the sportswear company’s rich history, cramming a plethora of technical detailing into their multi-faceted frames and making reference to when the Beaverton based brand almost found itself named Dimension Six. Delivering impressive levels of both urban appeal and practical cushioning the sneakers come dressed to the nines with street-ready add-ons making use of a number of classic materials for a result that feels both unique but unequivocally familiar.

Strapping in both Vapor Max technology and a rubber pad grip below for enviable levels of support and traction, the trainers construct their uppers from a varied list of fan favourite materials. With mesh found across the toe box for improved breathability and a plush leather tongue the DM/S/X rounds out its over-layered look with soft suede accents and both a toe and heel TPU clip for a futuristic finish. Dressed primarily in grounded coatings of black / white both sneakers utilise bright hits of colouring to contrast their subdued base, bringing attention to a selection of modest swoosh monikers and a number of notable points of interest. Kicking things up a notch when it comes to sporty techwear appeal, the trainers find themselves in the possession of several practical pull tabs with Velcro secured ankle straps on hand for a closer fit.

The Nike VaporMax DM/S/X “Midnight Turn/White-Mineral Teal” is available both online and in store now with the white variation launching 15/08/19.

May 24, 2018

Fresh Air: How Nike Uses Technology to Push for Sustainability

Of all the myriad facts and figures about Nike that we’ve written about, this latest snippet, while not the most exciting, is perhaps the most important: over 75% of all of the brand’s product contains some recycled material.

Aside from the reuse of manufacturing waste — which the brand puts into everything from yarns to basketballs to running surfaces — some of the Swoosh’s iconic innovations, such as Air and Flyknit, are designed from the ground up with sustainability. Flyknit, for instance, uses a sophisticated computational knitting process to reduce the waste associated with traditional panelled shoe design by over 60%.

Meanwhile, Air technology — perhaps the tech most synonymous with Nike, and which the brand has granted its own Air Manufacturing Innovation facilities in Oregon and Missouri — has come a long way since its introduction in 1979, with advances in both manufacturing and sustainability pushing the limits of what can be achieved with as little impact as possible. Its latest Air innovations, the Air Max 270 and Air Vapormax sole units, use 70% and 75% recycled materials respectively, with the latter allowing Nike to remove the need for a foam midsole, further reducing waste and environmental impact.

To cap it all off, the brand is on track to move towards using 100% renewable energy across all its United States operations, and worldwide by 2025. Impressive stuff, and reassuring to see from a brand with the global scale and reach that Nike has. adidas has also followed suit with its own similar sustainability programme, including its long-running collaboration with environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans, making shoes and apparel from recycled ocean plastics, so whichever side you choose, you can be assured that your footwear addiction isn’t as destructive as you might have thought.

Check out the above video from Nike detailing their Air Manufacturing Innovation factory, then be sure to check out our full Nike range.

January 24, 2018

Re-Tuned Air: The Nike Air Vapormax Plus is the Perfect Evolution of an Icon

Despite its name, the Nike Air Max 98 wasn’t the only Air Max shoe to release in 1998. In fact, in subsequent years the popularity of the Air Max 98 has been marginal compared to its stablemate: the Air Max Plus, a.k.a. the Air Max TN. Particularly in sportswear-heavy subcultures in the UK and Russia, the Air Max Plus has been part of the streetwear uniform since its initial release, while the Air Max 98 has remained the sole preserve of footwear enthusiasts and collectors.

It seems only fitting, then, that in honour of the silhouette’s 20^th birthday Nike has retrofitted the Air Max Plus with its cutting-edge Vapormax sole unit to create the Air Vapormax Plus. Vapormax was Nike’s big announcement for last year’s Air Max Day celebrations, an innovation 30 years in the making: a sole unit made entirely of Max Air, with no encapsulation necessary, which results in an ultra-lightweight yet comfortable ride; the perfect replacement for the decoupled Tuned Air unit from the original.

The Air Max Plus’ iconic upper, however, remains intact, with its compression-moulded neoprene body, floating TPU cage and 3M reflective detailing, while the all-Air pods of the Vapormax sole blend seamlessly into the highly technical aesthetic that still looks revolutionary twenty years later.

Given the enduring popularity of the two styles, we expect this hybrid to be very popular. The Nike Air Vapormax Plus in Cargo/Sequoia is launching on Thursday the 25^th of January 2018, with a stealthy Triple Black version arriving shortly afterwards.