Tuned Air
Brand: Nike
Run: 1998-2008
Notable Models: Nike Air Max Plus, Nike Air Tuned Force, Nike Air Force Max Plus, Nike Air Tuned Swoopes, Nike Air Tuned Max, Nike Tuned Air X
11 years after the dawn of Air Max, Nike took its top-billed technology up a notch with the debut of Tuned Air. Engineered to provide superior cushioning and stability, Tuned Air made Air Max mechanical. Plastic hemispheres within the Air Max unit were made to handle higher impact in strategic regions for smoother strides. Tuned Air technology is best known for its use in the Air Max Plus runner, but also saw placement in basketball models such as a signature shoe for Sheryl Swoopes. For the ten year anniversary of Tuned Air, Nike released the Tuned Air X. Whether or not actual Tuned Air is use in recent retro product is unconfirmed.
Shox
Brand: Nike
Run: 2000-Current
Adaptations: Impax, Air Shox
Notable Models: Nike Shox R4, Nike Shox BB4, Nike VC Shox series, Nike Shox TL
In the year 2000, Nike Shox technology debuted after 16 years of research and development on the Nike Shox R4 running shoe and the Nike Shox BB4 basketball shoe. Designed to serve as a trampoline for propulsion, the original models feature four highly resilient foam columns in the heel with a Pebax moderator plate. While previous cushioning innovations were made to handle impact or aid responsiveness, Shox was said to provide spring to each step. Eventually the technology would take to the forefoot and also be used in conjunction with other Nike cushioning innovations.
