Popular Science - USA (2020 - Spring)

BYSTAN HORACZEK

42 SPRING 2020 / POPSCI.COM

Air Jordan XXXIV

Two separate air pockets now

reside just beneath the player’s

heel and forefoot, and absorb

impact during nearly all game-

play: running, takeoff, landing.

Springy thermoplastic plates flex

and rebound to (slightly) in-

crease your chances of dunkin’

from the free-throw line.

Air Jordan 1

In 1985, the debut model

featured leather uppers that sta-

bilized a player’s ankles during

quick side- to- side movements

like direction changes and

fakeouts. An air cushion under

the heel—later, it would run the

length of the whole shoe—

softened post-jump landings.

kickstarters

THEN AND NOW

NIKE’S AIR JORDANS BOAST LEGENDARY STYLE, BUT THE SNEAKERS HAVE ALSO FUNCTIONED

AS LACED-UP LABS THAT DELIVER NEW TECH TO THE COURTS. HERE’S HOW FAR THEY’VE COME.