In an athletic sneaker world that has been dominated by the Air Jordan for nearly 35 years, it’s often difficult to imagine an era that precedes Nike’s revolutionary Air cushioning technology.
The Air Tailwind was born when NASA engineer Frank Rudy approached the fledgling shoe company Nike with a unique proposal. For lightweight and effective foot cushioning, what could work better than air? Debuting during the marathon season of 1978, the Nike Air Tailwind employed a system of flexible membranes filled with pressurized air to support the foot comfortably and prevent common running injuries. The worlds of sports and fashion would be changed forever.
To celebrate the 40-year anniversary of this truly revolutionary shoe, Nike has re-released the Air Tailwind using raw materials and color palettes that are remarkably similar to the original article.