The basis of Air technology consists of pressurised Air being put inside a tough yet flexible bag. Bringing flexibility and springiness without compromising structure, this is done through an aeronautics technique called blow rubber moulding. Have you ever experienced the horror of popping your Nike Air Max bubble? You’ll want to avoid this nightmare at all costs. A sole replacement of the sneaker is needed but this has to be done by a professional cobbler (shoe repair expert). You’ll need to find a replacement sole yourself. Pros Simple, right? No? Well, we’re gonna give you all the inside deets, laying out exactly what Air tech is and how it works.

Go go gadget legs! If you've ever wanted spring-loaded leaping ability like Inspector Gadget, then shoes like the Spira and Gravity Defyer include springs in their design. But they're not a patch on the frankly bonkers Z-Coils. Try going to a Nike store and talking to them nicely, sure you don’t want shoes with zero cushioning looking like a flat tire. When the Nike Air Tailwind dropped in ’78, because the Air unit was encapsulated, sneakerheads had to take Nike’s word that Air-based technology was working unseen in the midsole. And while Nike had success moving into the ’80s with the Air Force 1, Tinker Hatfield wanted to push Air further by letting people see exactly what they were walking on. To make sure the gas doesn’t leak from the Air units, Nike use dense gases, which can’t escape from the polyurethane material of the bag. However, the bag still allows the transfer of gases into it, meaning the Air Unit is always fully pumped up! It’s really up to Nike whether they help you out or not, their aim is to offer the best customer experience. Might even have some advice for what you can do if they can’t help you in-store. Why Nike Air bubble PoppedThe process of hollowing out a midsole and adding multiple Air units delivers supreme, everyday cushioning for the average sneakerhead. Not only this, but it improves the performance of athlete across different sports by providing a lighter wear that requires less energy to be put out. We all know that feeling when the Nike Air bubble pops, leaving your shoes looking like a flat tire. My experience and knowledge of reselling shoes, this shouldn’t happen unless the shoes have a manufacturing flaw. Air tech is also incredibly versatile. Cushioning is used in different ways for different sneakers, and so can deliver specific performance benefits in different sports. Air Force 1 sneakers are equipped with circular outsoles and encapsulated Air units to the heel for greater jumping ability and cushioned landings on the basketball court, while running silhouettes such as the Air Max 95 and Air VaporMax use positioned Air units to the forefoot and heel for cushioning in high pressure areas when running.

The easiest way to fix the popped Nike Air bubble is to fill it with clear silicon. Essentially, you’re replacing the air with a solid gel that provides a little comfort. Depending on how much it deflates like a flat tire, you might be able to get away with still wearing the shoes. But in most cases, once the air bubble is pooped that’s it. The Nike Air will not feel comfy like it did before but depending on what you’ll be wearing them for should be good. Might feel weird and embarrassing to start but you’ll get used to it. How long have you had your Nike Airs until the bubble popped? It doesn’t matter, to be honest; this can happen 2 weeks, 6, or 18 months after getting them.Another type of Air technology is Zoom Air. Whenever Nike wants to add some speed to their sneakers, Zoom Air is essential! Like Max Air, Zoom Air is typically visible, however, it’s remained performance-focused over the years. On the other hand, why bother walking at all? Heelys have wheels embedded in the heels, allowing you to walk normally until you need a burst of acceleration or just fancy a rest. Losing pressure means you lose comfort. It would be a shame to throw away perfectly still decent shoes you spend your hard-earned money on. When a Nike Air bubble pops it usually means the end of your shoe’s life. It can pop because of a sharp object, pressurised air in the bladder loss of pressure, excessive wear and other reasons. In this article, you will find the best 5 options you have to start feeling that cushioned air max comfort again.

The worst thing about all of this is you lose all the cushioning, couldn’t think of anything worse. Did you know there’s different types of Air technology? Each variation brings something new to the sneakers they’re in. The most popular form of Air is, of course, Max Air (or visible Air)!Trying to be clever and returning shoes more than 2 years after the manufacturing date. (They’ll return them without even inspecting) LA Gear wasn't a leading light in the trainer market until it came up with LA Lights -- shoes with flashing lights in the heels, introduced in 1992. Using tech developed by former NASA engineer, M. Frank Rudy, which had previously been used to create space helmets for the Apollo missions, Rudy designed a “hollowed-out midsole in which he embedded polyurethane pouches filled with dense gas”- creating Nike Air!

They weren't quite as cool as Reebok Pumps, and they're not quite as self-fastening as Marty McFly's shoes, but the Puma Disc let you tighten up your shoes by turning a dial in the tongue. Each Air unit is then placed into the midsole of the trainer in different positions, depending on where cushioning needs to be emphasised. This is usually in the heel where the most impact protection and cushioning are needed to take comfort next level. The most recognisable of all of Nike’s technologies, Air has been a staple of Swoosh sneakers since the Air Tailwind dropped in ’78.