New Nike Air Max 360 Lets You Run on Air

Next-Generation Technology Creates Breakthrough Shoe Cushioning System -- No Foam, Just 360 Degrees of Nike Air; National Ad Campaign to Feature Alex Rodriquez, Amare Stoudamire and Other All-Star Nike Athletes Running and Training on 'Air'

NIKE, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) announced today the launch of its Air Max 360. A running shoe more than 25 years in the making, Air Max 360 is the first shoe that allows athletes to run on 360 degrees of Nike Air cushioning.

Air Max 360 features a full-length Air-Sole unit that has no foam, just pure Nike Air cushioning to provide the softest, smoothest, and most durable experience created in an Air Max shoe to date. Runners will be able to run directly on Nike Air for the first time when the shoe hits retail stores Saturday, January 21, with a suggested retail price of $160.

Nike Air technology was first introduced in 1979 in the Tailwind running shoe. At that time, Nike designers knew removing foam from a shoe improved performance since Nike Air technology was lighter, cushioned better and lasted longer. After years of testing and development, Nike removed more foam and added air cushioning, coming closer to its original vision. Today the original promise has been fulfilled by introducing a whole new level of Nike Air cushioning performance with the Air Max 360.

"The Air Max 360 is an innovation milestone for Nike and for runners," said Mark Parker, Nike Brand President. "A dream more than 20 years in the making, Air Max 360 reflects Nike's product innovation commitment to create a full air cushioning system for runners. We've replaced foam with 360 degrees of Nike Air, creating the most cushioned Air Max running shoe ever and allowing runners to experience the feeling of running on air."

For Air Max 360, the benefits of a foamless midsole equal reduced weight and increased durability. The Air Max 360 is Nike's lightest Air Max shoe to date, weighing in at less than 13 ounces (12.3 oz, Men's size 9 and 10.8 oz, Women's size 8). In regards to durability, a traditional midsole with foam compresses up to 40 percent after 300 miles of use whereas Nike Air cushioning retains its original form after 300 miles.

Air Max 360 is also Nike's pinnacle product that delivers on comfort. Through an extensive testing process, Nike improved the Air-Sole unit to better correspond with pressure points in the foot, while engineering the Nike Air unit to provide greater flexibility in the forefoot. The Nike Air unit is surrounded by a cage to provide enhanced integrity and support and is tuned specifically for gender and shoe size for enhanced impact protection. The Nike Air technology comfort is complimented by a new seamless sock liner to help eliminate abrasion on the foot and the midfoot webbing loops provide a superior fit.

"It can be tough to stay motivated to run and train," said Maria Sharapova, Women's Tennis Association Champion. "So when I have a comfortable shoe where I can feel cushion and I can feel like I'm walking on air, then there's so much more enjoyment in my training. The Air Max 360 does that for me."

In addition to the comfortable feel, runners may also notice Air Max 360 borrows from some of their favorite past Air Max running styles. The rich heritage of the Air Max family provide plenty of inspiration, from the color grading of the Air Max '95 to the striping of the Air Max '97 to the clean, "less is more" feel of the Air Max '03. Visually, the design elements that made these models iconic come together to highlight Air Max 360's iconic feature, the Air-Sole unit that lines the entire base of the shoe.

"The past is meeting the future with the introduction of Air Max 360," said Martin Lotti, Nike Designer of the Air Max 360. "It was important to me to keep the essence of the Air Max family in the shoe so I studied the Air Max lineage and incorporated the key elements of design and technology. Now we've added a foamless midsole and created an all-new standard in performance footwear with full-length air."

Air Max 360 debuts in a National television campaign, called "Awake," featuring an all-star cast of Nike athletes who show their common passion for sport through their commitment to training, no matter how early the hour. While they may struggle to wake up to the early morning call of the tennis court or the pool or they gym, they are never deterred by the challenge. The love for their chosen sport propels them to train to get better. Maria Sharapova (WTA), Alex Rodriguez (New York Yankees), Justin Gatlin (USA Track & Field), Tom Brady (New England Patriots) and Liu Xiang (Men's Track and Field Olympic Gold Medalist), among others, invite the world to join the movement by just getting out of bed and playing a sport, any sport. They're call is to "Just Do it." The spot can be seen on Sunday, January 22 during the NFC Championship (FOX, 6:30pm EST) and AFC Championship (CBS, 3:00pmEST) games in :60 and :30 versions.

As an extension to the "Awake" campaign, people are encouraged to visit NikeAir.com where they can register to receive a pre-recorded wake-up call to their cell phones from one of the athletes who appear in the ad. Registrants can choose the day, time and if they wish to receive a one-time call or multiple calls.

NIKE, Inc. based in Beaverton, Oregon is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan, which designs, markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel.

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