Over thanksgiving break, I got new shoes. I noticed they have a funky design, with air holes in the bottom. I started to think to myself: what is the purpose of these strange holes? Is it aesthetic, or is it functional?
Air bubbles in shoes have a unique history. A former aerospace engineer-turned-shoe designer Marion Franklin Rudy first incorporated air bubbles into Nike Air Max shoes in order to lessen impact when walking and allow more energy to go into running. Air bubbles are springy; the energy going from your foot into the ground is converted into spring energy, meaning you aren't losing all of it into the ground. That means you would be able to run faster by reducing work lost from your feet into the ground! The technique used to install the holes is called blow rubber molding. Polyurethane is used to trap air bubbles inside the small plastic sole, and nitrogen is used as the air inside the bubble. The air pressure within the sole is around 25 PSI. So, they are functional AND stylish!
Although interesting, this applies to Nike shoes. What about the On Cloudrunners that have holes in the sole, not in polyurethane packets? On advertises that the shoe has "Zero-Gravity foam" which serves as a cushion for impact and for soft training. Cloudrunners also have moderate cushioning and are good for road usage. It serves the same function, but for a different shoe! It all comes to preference.
https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/nike-air-history/
https://www.asos.com/men/fashion-feed/2014_03_25-tues/facts-about-the-nike-air-max-bubble/
https://www.on-running.com/en-us/products/cloudrunner?specs=cloud
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