Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. has been developing new innovative and impact protection systems as from the Waffle Trainer to Shox columns. Nike research facilities offer research divided into three major parts, biomechanics, physiology, and the sensory/perception. Their products undergo a rigorous testing process that covers various testing surfaces like soccer turf, regular basketball hardwood, and running tracks. They also consider skill level, age, gender, and geography as the essential factors that they put into consideration. Also, they employ cushioning systems that reduce shock, offer comfort, impact protection, and distribute pressure. Nike’s sneakers technology that is popular for runners includes Nike Shox, Nike Air Zoom, Nike Air Max, and Nike Air.
Nike Air
It was the first technology developed by Nike that changed people’s way of thinking about cushioning.
It is now over 20 years since its creation, and it remains standard for impact protection. Its inside is of pressurized gas inside the urethane plastic capsule. The large gas molecule prevents it from escaping. Air-sole units are beneath forefoot, heel, or in both depending on the athlete’s need and the shoe. Also,The Air-sole cushions the foot to reduce impact force and return to its original shape for the next impact.
Nike Air Max
When it comes to impact cushioning, it is known to be maximum as its design is to take repetitive impact and reduce its effects on your performance and body. The technique used in its making is blow-molding, which allows the highest Nike Air volume without affecting the Air-sole unit. The dual pressure cushioning solves rear foot stability and the need for protection. This Air max provides full-length impact protection of the athlete during their practice or competition.
Nike Air Zoom
It is one of Nike’s sneakers that are known for being ultra-thin, lightweight, and super responsive to bring the foot closer to the ground. They are commonly known for use as basketball shoes built with air zoom. This unit begins with two-layer fabrics connected with multiples of vertical fibers attached at the ends of the fabric layer. The fibers are surrounded by pressurized gas inside the Air unit. On impact, its airbag compresses and relieves tension on the threads. After impact, pressurized gas expands the airbag and puts pressure on the fibers. The fibers then compress on the impact and spring back immediately.
Nike Shox
Nike Shox technology is a combination of outsole technology and impact protection. It is highly flexible, and lightweight that simulates barefoot running effects and distributes landing pressure on a larger area to reduce back, legs, and knees stress. The outsole of this shoe is with segmented grooves that tend to be similar to that of a barefoot landing. The forefoot area ensures that you land safely by creating stability and pinpoint turns.
Nike Free
This sneaker also uses a combination of the outsole technology and impact protection. It is also lightweight and highly flexible, just like its counterpart, the Nike Shox. Its making, design, and functionality work the same with the previous sneaker.