Nike employs a variety of cushioning systems in their products. Cushioning systems need to reduce shock, distribute pressure, protect from impact and offer comfort shock, distribute pressure, protect from impact, and offer comfort. The four cushioning systems pioneered and sold by Nike are Nike Air, Nike Air Max, Nike Air Zoom, and Nike Shox. Click on the name to learn more about each of these technologies.

Nike Air
Nike Air was the first air technology developed at Nike Shoes, and it changed the way people thought about cushioning. It remains a standard for impact protection more than 20 years after its creation. The Nike Air made from pressurized gas inside a tough yet flexible urethane plastic capsule. The large molecules of gas prevent it from escaping the bag. The Air-Sole units are encapsulated in the midsole beneath the heel, forefoot, or in both locations depending on the shoe and the needs of the athlete for whom the shoe was designed. The Air-Sole works to cushion the foot by compressing and reduces the force of the impact and then immediately recovers its original shape, ready for the next impact.

Nike Max Air / Air Max
Nike Max Air, the maximum in impact cushioning, is designed to take brutal, repetitive impacts and minimize their effects on the body and your performance. Air Max units are made through a technique called low-molding?, allowing for the greatest volume of Nike Air without weakening the Air-Sole unit. Duel-pressure cushioning addresses the need for protection and rear foot stability. The hallmark of the Air Max technology is a visible air unit in the heel. The Air Max provides athletes with full-length impact protection.

Nike Shox
In 2001, Nike unveiled a completely new and revolutionary style of athletic shoe cushioning. The Nike Shox system is based on the simple idea that a shoe should not only provide cushioning, but return the energy of the impact to the wearer just like a spring would. The Shox system took sixteen years to develop, but the highly resilient foam in the Nike Shox columns reduce the risk of impact-related injuries. The state- of-the-art Shox won't have you bouncing off of walls, but it will provide a barely noticeable, but pleasantly springy ride for even the most demanding athlete.

Nike Zoom Air/Air Zoom
This lightweight, super-responsive, and ultra thin Air unit brings the foot closer to the ground for the ultimate feel and great maneuverability. Used primarily for basketball shoes, shoes built with the Air Zoom tend to be light and responsive with excellent "ground-feel".