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If you love Zoom Air (I sure as hell do) then this post is for you!
Dating back to 1994 and originally known as "Tensile Air", Zoom has been the benchmark standard for cushioning since its inception. This post will focus on all the variations and implementations of Zoom.
Technically speaking.... It consists of thousands of vertical fibres sandwiched between 2 horizonal fabric layers that is sealed inside a polyuethane film. Pressurized gas (believed to be nitrogen) surrounds these fibres creating a flat, thin, low-profile air bag that provides a closer to the ground feel than the conventional Nike Air system. The gas surrounding the fibres creates a force within the bag in a way to put tension on the fibres without the bag popping or expanding. Upon impact, the bag compresses and relieves tension on the fibres, which then causes the gas in the bag to expand and returns the tension into the fibres causing them to spring back immediately after impact. This method of impact cushioning is designed for high speeds and quick foot transitions required for more faster players and guards without weight being a problem.
Which is true.
Enough talk. On to the pics!
PS - If you know of other shapes/sizes/implementations... feel free to contribute. I'll add it the OP.
Heel / Forefoot - featured in the Jordan 13, 15, 2k9, Flightposite series, and various Nike Basketball shoes
Forefoot Zoom (the most common unit) Zoom Flight 95, Go LWP, Jordan 13, 14 retro, 15, 16, 17, LeBron 8 PS, 9 Elite, Various Hyperdunks and other shoes.
Articulated / Unlocked Zoom - Jordan 28
Artiuculated Zoom - featured in the Nike Air Pippen 3
Articulated Zoom - featured in the Jordan 2012 and various Cole Haan dress shoes
Articulated Zoom - Original Jordan 14
Full Length Zoom - featured in the Nike Foamposite, Ultraflight, Zoom 96, Zoom Flight 2k3, Zoom Turf, , Zoom BB, Jordan 12, 19, 2010, LeBron 4, 5, 6, 11, Kobe 7 elite
Articulated Zoom - Jordan Superfly 2, Jordan 28, Lebron 2/3
Zoom Max 360 - Lebron 10, Hyperflight Max, Hyperposite 2014
Methead Zoom - featured in the Kobe 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 2k4, 2k5
Rectangle Zoom - Featured in the Zoom Rookie, KD 5 and 6
Max Heel Zoom - Lebron 2, 3, Jordan 28
Not sure what shoes these are in?
Dating back to 1994 and originally known as "Tensile Air", Zoom has been the benchmark standard for cushioning since its inception. This post will focus on all the variations and implementations of Zoom.
Technically speaking.... It consists of thousands of vertical fibres sandwiched between 2 horizonal fabric layers that is sealed inside a polyuethane film. Pressurized gas (believed to be nitrogen) surrounds these fibres creating a flat, thin, low-profile air bag that provides a closer to the ground feel than the conventional Nike Air system. The gas surrounding the fibres creates a force within the bag in a way to put tension on the fibres without the bag popping or expanding. Upon impact, the bag compresses and relieves tension on the fibres, which then causes the gas in the bag to expand and returns the tension into the fibres causing them to spring back immediately after impact. This method of impact cushioning is designed for high speeds and quick foot transitions required for more faster players and guards without weight being a problem.
Which is true.
Enough talk. On to the pics!
PS - If you know of other shapes/sizes/implementations... feel free to contribute. I'll add it the OP.
Heel / Forefoot - featured in the Jordan 13, 15, 2k9, Flightposite series, and various Nike Basketball shoes
Forefoot Zoom (the most common unit) Zoom Flight 95, Go LWP, Jordan 13, 14 retro, 15, 16, 17, LeBron 8 PS, 9 Elite, Various Hyperdunks and other shoes.
Articulated / Unlocked Zoom - Jordan 28
Artiuculated Zoom - featured in the Nike Air Pippen 3
Articulated Zoom - featured in the Jordan 2012 and various Cole Haan dress shoes
Articulated Zoom - Original Jordan 14
Full Length Zoom - featured in the Nike Foamposite, Ultraflight, Zoom 96, Zoom Flight 2k3, Zoom Turf, , Zoom BB, Jordan 12, 19, 2010, LeBron 4, 5, 6, 11, Kobe 7 elite
Articulated Zoom - Jordan Superfly 2, Jordan 28, Lebron 2/3
Zoom Max 360 - Lebron 10, Hyperflight Max, Hyperposite 2014
Methead Zoom - featured in the Kobe 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 2k4, 2k5
Rectangle Zoom - Featured in the Zoom Rookie, KD 5 and 6
Max Heel Zoom - Lebron 2, 3, Jordan 28
Not sure what shoes these are in?
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