Where Did the Air Max 360 Go

First, the air max 360is still a part of our running footwear line. In fact, we just released a significant update called the Air Max+ 2009. “360” is no longer part of its name, but the air max+ 2009 includes a re-engineered version of the full-length, fully visible Max Air unit that was a central component of the air max360. Improvements in this latest iteration include even better cushioning, a much smoother transition, improved flexibility and improved fit, with the latter delivered by way of a full-length bootie augmented with a Flywire-reinforced outer skin. The air max+ 2009 is also the first full-length Max Air shoe to offer support for Nike+.

air-max-2009 $53

As to why the air max360 is not part of the Bowerman Series, the Bowerman Series is a small, tightly focused collection of products targetted specifically at running specialty retailers. One of the expectations of those retailers and the runners they serve is that updates from one model to the next will be incremental, evolutionary and delivered on a consistent cadence.

The Air Max line, by contrast, is rooted in revolution, and the engineering challenges associated with significant advances in the full-length Max Air platform make it impossible for us to deliver against a pre-determined update cadence. So it just doesn’t make sense to include the Air Max in the Bowerman Series—it wouldn’t be true to the Bowerman Series or to the heritage of Air Max.

Now, you might expect me to say this considering who signs my paychecks, but I’m really glad that both exist. As a runner, I appreciate the evolutionary approach of the Bowerman Series, but, as a shoe geek, I love the irreverence and envelope-pushing innovation reflected in the Air Max line. Each informs the other and, in my opinion, the fact that both exist makes the running shoe world a much more interesting place