The Nike Air Max Dn reimagines an icon ready to revolutionize cushioning for the new generation of shoes after three decades. We introduce this shoe where the air chamber – offspring of Dynamic Air technology – materializes into a new unit divided into two and four tubes, all to ensure a significantly higher level of comfort thanks to the new configuration. Fluidity becomes noticeable with every step, thanks to the passage of air. But let’s discover together all the innovations encapsulated in this shoe and the revolution enacted by Nike Air Max Manufacturing Innovation and the Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL).
Opening a New Chapter
Nike is rewriting a new chapter of the revolution that began three decades ago when the redefinition of cushioning in the brand’s shoes began. Not just a simple restyling, but a real change rooted in individual expression and the desire to recreate the sensation of walking on air. The Collater.al team involved biker Caleb Djumpah to showcase the shoe around Milan on a typical day filled with tricks and skate parks where freedom of movement reigns. Caleb’s bike maneuvers are accompanied by the support of Nike Air Max Dn, following him through all his acrobatics. Through targeted shots, we experimented with air and sound to test the sneaker’s performance while Caleb executed bike tricks. The Dynamic Air technology is put into practice thanks to the two air chambers and four tubes, visible due to the clear contrast of black and purple on the shoe, one of the highlights of this sneaker. Specifically, the two pressurized chambers – part of the Air unit – have a pressure of 15 psi, different from the pressure in the two front tubes, corresponding to 5 psi. This configuration precisely follows the wearer’s stride, allowing for fluid and interactive movements.
Behind the Nike Air Max Dn Technology
The Nike Air Manufacturing Innovation team, in collaboration with the Nike Sports Research Lab, has propelled this revolution by enhancing comfort and movement. But not only that, the silhouette becomes innovative thanks to a design much different from the past. Behind this sneaker are also cutting-edge production methods such as finite element analysis through digital functionalities that allow for quicker and more accurate testing rounds on performance. To complete these laboratory analyses, there are also athletes who have worn the shoes, all to be tried, tested, perfected, and repeated.
«Contrary to what one might expect, these testing methods offer us greater opportunities to be surprised,» says Kathy Gomez, Nike VP of NXT Footwear. The positioning of the tubes – to an external eye – may seem counterintuitive: «for example, in the DN, one might think that the softer tube in terms of psi should be near the heel for foot support and better transition. Instead, we found that the transition is better when the stiffer tube is positioned under the heel, and the softer one under the medial area.»
Not only the Dynamic Air technology but also the upper had to adapt to the fluid sensation we talked about above. The fabric follows the same logic, with a secondary layer resembling silicone to create haptic and textured prints. Combined with the Air unit, the upper material seamlessly integrates with all components of the sneaker, reaching a new milestone for Nike in innovation and research.
