Nike VaporMax 360

Air VaporMax 360

The Nike VaporMax 360 is a simple portmanteau of a shoe. It is the 2006 Air Max 360 version that was reinvented in 2018 by way of VaporMax cushioning which utilises semi-freestanding, pressurised tubes to create a soft, weight-distributing feel with each step. It is 2000s style meets Nike’s latest breakthrough in comfort engineering. 

The original Air Max 360 sat upon a 360 degree bed of Air, which made it a highly popular running shoe that would become the foundation for future full-length cushioned Air Max models. This made the silhouette perfect for combining with Nike’s new VaporMax technology, which itself employed full-length, ultra-lightweight, seamless midsole and outsole technology.

The upper has retained its recognisable lightweight welded synthetic TPU skins which create a vortex-like, futuristic aesthetic. A breathable mesh tongue runs all the way down the centre of the shoe, transitioning into a protective toe cap, full-length mudguard and heel in patent leather for extra rigidity. The general style and application of materials stay true to the original ‘06 version, which complements the glossy VaporMax tooling well.

The visual upgrades include a new swoosh in iridescent silver, trimmed with thick black thread, debatably making the shoe more of the 00s era than the original 360. The tongue patch reads “VaporMax 360” as opposed to the “Air Max 360” original, and the four eyestays have traded in their standard “2006” for a “2020” embellishment.