After almost four decades, Nike continues to redefine sneaker cushioning with its ever-reliable Air technology.
Since the 1980s, Nike has developed a number of different types of it, some of them being the Air Max, the Zoom Air, and the Tuned Air.
And in 2024, a new iteration is poised to take over the scene.
Set to be introduced during Air Max Week 2024, Nike’s newest release, the Air Max Dn, will feature the company’s newest cushioning set-up that is still faithful to the feel of ‘walking’ on air — the Dynamic Air technology.
Dynamic Air, or Dn, “is realized in a new dual-chamber, four-tubed Nike Air unit designed for unreal comfort, a smooth stride and max bounce,” Nike said in a statement.
Apart from its previous versions, the four tubes of Nike Air Max Dn’s air units will have two different PSIs for the user to both have cushioning that is “comfortable” and “interactive.”
The two front tubes will have a lower pressure of 5 PSI, while those in the back will have a higher pressure of 15 PSI. This setup is said to “allow air to respond to the pressure as you move, delivering a smooth sensation with every step.”
“We call it ‘Dynamic Motion’. The independent setup of the chambers means that the air unit can respond to the load of your body with each step,” explained Reggie Hunter, product director for Nike Lifestyle Footwear.
“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.”
“The reason we made Dn is less about appealing to a specific demographic and more about designing a shoe that people want to pick up, interact with it, learn about it, and wear. And wear. And wear,” he added.
Nike designers, engineers and scientists at Nike Air Manufacturing Innovation (Air MI) and the Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL) said that they utilized the Finite Element Analysis system to test prototypes quicker and in a more efficient manner.
This technology is said to have helped them test the air unit’s durability as they “digitally simulate a year’s worth of wear and tear on the shoe in just a few hours.”
“Counterintuitively, these exacting methods of testing create more opportunities for us to be surprised,” said Kathy Gomez, Nike vice president, NXT Footwear.
“For example, in the Dn, you’d think the softest tube in terms of psi should go in the heel for crash landing and better transition. But actually, we found that transition was best when the firmest tube was under the heel and the softest was under the midfoot,” she added, hence the implementation of the PSIs.
Aside from this, a TPU shank arch clip and heel counter are also present to provide support and stability to the user’s midfoot and their Achilles, respectively. In addition, an Injected Phylon also surrounds the air units to provide more cushioning comfort, while a rubber outsole is also present to provide a more durable traction.
All in all, Gomez said their aim for Dynamic Air is to elevate Nike Air technology once more.
“Dynamic Air raises our benchmark for what Air feels like. We’re always raising our expectations of what we can deliver for athletes. We’re using every tool at our disposal and every bit of our expertise to create new sensations with Air, while doing it more precisely.”
”Maybe most important, we’re creating something that’s legitimately pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with comfort and motion. And this is just the beginning of the future of Air,” she concluded.
The Nike Air Max Dn will be released across nike.com and Nike retail in adult and youth sizes on March 26 as part of Air Max Week 2024.
The Nike Air Max Dn All Day colorway will launch via SNKRS and select retailers.