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Nike VaporMax | Detailed Look and Review

Interested in the new Nike VaporMax? Maybe we can help you make a decision one way or the other.

First off, I made a mistake while describing the forefoot Air unit. They are connected to one another. However, you still can’t feel the air transfer through each chamber. Which is a good thing otherwise you’d likely roll your ankle.

Hopefully you enjoy the review and know what your specific needs are when it comes to reading/watching reviews. What one person likes isn’t the end-all-be-all. It’s a just personal preference. So all you Swoosh die-hards… lay off.

Let us know if you grabbed the Nike VaporMax and what you think about them after taking them for a spin.

9 comments
  1. Come on Nightwing, we know that Nike didn’t make this shoe as performance driven footwear, don’t even front. They look good/bad, then create a discussion about Nike, which is exactly what they want. Nike is a hype driven company. They have lost their status as an athlete driven performance innovator a long time ago. All we have to do is to look at their hoops line, then see how many of their own athletes can’t even wear their own sig shoes over the last few years, with the most recent being Westbrook, having an Air Jordan shoe changed up in order to fit his own needs. As a running shoe, air bags of this magnitude are frowned upon by the running community anyways, so…you had to know that the sycophants of the swoosh were going to lay in to you for making sense! LOLOLOLOLOL

  2. I feel like a lot of people needlessly defensive of this shoe are straight up aligning their opinions with marketing and imagination. I’m sure you’ve seen “those” kinds of people on other subjects – armchair engineers and all.

    Noticed the arches collapsing on the first treadmill demonstration in the vid off the bat. The flywire did nothing for this shoe?

  3. They’re kind of like a combo of Air Max, and Shox look wise, which I like.

    The uppers are too minimal for it to be a real runner though(you need a more substantial upper to control that big a sole), plus of course, the durability, because in a Boost, or Zoom Runner the traction might go, but the cushioning will be intact, in these the traction AND cushioning will go when you wear them through.
    Plus I really hate the guaranteed durability, on a couple of running-review the Nike rep guaranteed them for 30-40 miles no more, that’s unacceptable for a performance runner(needs to be 3-4 times more).

    1. 30-40 miles? Wow…….that is terrible. So, if you run 2 miles a day they will only last 15-20 days? They are selling a shoe you would be lucky to get 3 weeks out of? C’mon Nike……

  4. When i look at this shoe i have very ambivalent thoughts.
    I think it is a great idea that there is no midsole because all midsoles of my shoes from the 80ties and half of my 90ties sneakers too are absolutely unwearable for its intented purpose.
    This sole has the potential to be in the same state 20 years from now.
    But the great idea of loosing the midsole material will not determine the lifetime of this model. I guess the upper will be a little bit longer doing its job than the rubber of the outsole.
    I guess the time has finally arrived that you either even love a performance sneaker soley for its looks or you simply have to stay away… a little bit like the Nike retro shoes.
    From a marketing standpoint i can understand that you want to keep the lifespan of a shoe to a minimum. For example i’m trough my 3rd Adidas Crazy Explosive outsole in 6 month but I keep buying it because i like how the whole shoe performes but i wouldn’t accept such a short lifespan on a shoe that doesn’t perfom.
    The Vapormax is a beautiful shoe, there is no question about that.
    My question with this shoe is what is its intended purpose? I’m not sure that there is enough money to make from the running community with this concept.
    I guess it will be a shoe for young kids to wear when they go to a club to dance.
    After a night of dancing my knees often hurt, this could be the cure for the younger disco generation. Something to show off with some nice cushion. ???

  5. Purchased these online to see what the hype was all about. When they came in, I tried them on but wasn’t blown away or anything. Yes they were comfortable on foot but didn’t feel revolutionary or anything. I hate to make this competitive comparison but they defintely don’t give you that “whoa” feeling like the first time you put on an ultra boost. Bottom line is, I couldn’t justify the $190 price tag so I returned them. Haven’t had any regrets

  6. in my opinion it’s a beautiful shoe, there’s no reason for it to be as expensive as it is, though, right now in hong kong the vapormax costs about $70 US more than a pair of ultraboosts off the shelf….also, it’s clear to me that nike are aiming for the same market as the ultraboost….that is, the ‘sport luxe’ market, in the hopes that the vapormax is going to catch on as a smart street wear option…i just don’t see it, though, those air bubbles are going to scuff or pop, and the shoe is just so loud-looking…all that being said, the ultraboost is not a great running shoe (at least i prefer not to run in something so unstable and mushy), but it is at least functional and durable, these look like an awful running shoe in every respect

  7. That was a great honest review. I like the points you made about the arch support. That is a must have for me in a running shoe. I also like a good bouncy cushion. I now don’t regret not getting the BE TRUE version which sold out quickly online.

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