March 26, 1987 was the date that Nike first released their Air Max sneaker model. It's a date so iconic in the brand's history now that its celebrated annually as "Air Max Day", reflecting on over 30 years of the sneaker's pioneering design and technology-driven evolution.
When aerospace engineer Marion Franklin Rudy introduced the Air innovation to former Nike CEO, Phil Knight, in 1977 – the idea of placing tiny airbags into the soles of a Nike sneaker in order to soften impact – it turned out to be pretty revolutionary.
But the latest Air innovation from Nike has just debuted – their Air Max Dn – and the brand now begs the question: What if you fully reimagined an icon?
This time around, Nike’s innovation, design, engineering and research teams were fixated on creating a shoe with an incomparable look and feel. Their solution? The development of Dynamic Air.
“We call it ‘dynamic motion,’” says Reggie Hunter, Product Director for Nike Lifestyle Footwear. “The independent setup of the chambers means that the air unit can respond to the load of your body with each step. The feeling of heel-to-toe movement is seamless because the air unit is interacting in real time with your foot and moves with you. The Nike Air Max Dn was the first time we were able to unlock that feeling.”
What's new about the Nike Air Max Dn?
Dynamic Air:
- Appearing for the first time in the new Air Max Dn, Dynamic Air is a new dual-chamber, four-tubed Nike Air unit designed to allow air to freely flow between the tubes in each chamber.
Digital enhancements:
- Digital capabilities like Finite Element Analysis allowed Nike's testing teams to digitally simulate a year's worth of wear and tear on the shoe in just a few hours, giving them the tools to more quickly and accurately test its capabilities while prototyping.
Support:
- A TUP shank arch clip and TPU heel counter supports and provides structure around the mid-foot and heel, while injected Phylon foam surrounding the air unit in the sole provides comfort underfoot. The sneaker's rubber outsole wraps around the heel to provide traction and durability.
When and where can I buy them?
The Nike Air Max Dn in the 'All Night' and other colourways will be available to purchase across nike.com and Nike retail stores globally in adult and youth sizes from 26 March – as part of Air Max Week 2024.
