Nike Air is our iconic innovation that uses pressurised air in a durable, flexible membrane to provide lightweight cushioning. The air compresses on impact and then immediately returns to its original shape and volume, ready for the next impact. We debuted Nike Air in 1979, and we've been continuously evolving and improving it ever since. Today we use Nike Air in a variety of performance shoes (such as running and basketball), as well as in many lifestyle sneakers—because you don't have to be chasing a victory to benefit from walking on air.