Details
Brand
Nike
Heel To Toe Drop
13 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Highly protective rubberized outsole• Flymesh upper provides breathability and support• Full-length air midsole for a bouncy feel• Lightweight cushioning• Stylish classic Nike design• Multiple colorways to choose from
Upper
One of the major updates to the Nike Air Max 2017 model is its upper. The outsole and familiar full-length airbag resemble the past couple years’ models. The molded upper gives the Air Max a streamlined look and adds a little “oomph” to the aesthetic value due to the fact that it’s not just a plain old mesh upper extending from heel to toe. Being made from molded mesh makes the upper on this shoe able to hold its shape longer than a non-molded mesh shoe, such as a minimalist running sneaker.
Midsole
The inner sleeve of these running shoes offers an amazing fit. Because the sleeve runs the full length of the foot, it’s almost as if you are putting your foot into a sneaker with a built-in squishy sock. This also means that you won’t have to worry about the tongue moving around or slipping down into the shoe either. With an inner-lining that wraps around the entire foot and a redesigned heel that pushes the foot forward in the shoe, the midsole boasts a very snug and comfortable fit.
Outsole
Just like the past couple years’ models, this version has a completely rubberized outsole. This makes for a highly protected sole of the foot and keeps the runner from feeling any minor changes in the terrain. Because the airbag above the outsole runs the full length of the shoe, the rubberized outsole also offers protection against puncture to this feature.
Breathability
Because of it’s molded mesh upper, this sneaker offers comfort, support, and breathability. Although it may not be as breathable as some minimalist running shoes, it is certainly made to help your hard-working feet feel some air flow, especially through the non-molded mesh portion of the forefoot.
Comfort
With the snug-fitting inner lining, cushioned heel and it’s springy midsole, the Air Max proves to be a super comfy shoe. Even though the outsole isn’t very flexible, the soft and supportive upper of the shoe makes up for that in comfort.
Style
The Air Max is a coveted sneaker design in the shoe world, with many competitors trying to imitate its style. This model has been around for over three decades, updating the design each and every year to make it relevant to current trends. With its sleek design and wide array of color options, this is a sneaker that can be worn every day and not just on the running route.;Let’s face it, sometimes running shoe color choices can be pretty drab. Well, that’s certainly not the case with this one. Both the men’s and women’s versions of this shoe offer a wide variety of color choices ranging from plain old all white to flashy fuchsia with a bright orange outsole.
Durability
The soft rubber outsole and Flymesh upper of this shoe are meant to be breathable and lightweight and therefore, don’t provide a huge amount of protection or durability. These shoes should be used on the appropriate terrains in order to keep their longevity. If these shoes were to be worn on the trails they would be very susceptible to holes and taring from the elements. If these shoes are worn in their intended environments, they should last for miles and miles. Reviewers had no major complaints about the durability of these shoes.
Protection
The main focus of this shoe is its distinguishable airbag. This feature isn’t only there for looks, it offers shock absorption as well being that it is an actual bag of air on your feet. The heel within the shoe offers more cushioning in the 2017 model than previous models as well which also adds to a higher level of shock absorption, protecting your joints.;Speaking of a redesigned heel, the 2017 version offers an excellent heel grip that not only keeps your foot in the shoe but also works as a tool to push your foot forward within the sneaker. This gives the runner a more secure fit because of the shoe’s grip to the foot in such a way as to not leave any room for slipping. Another great thing about the heel on this shoe is that its heel collar is generously cushioned, offering protection against blisters.;Another important key feature when it comes to safety: a larger amount of reflectivity than previous models. Both sides of the sneaker’s midsole boast a rather large Nike swoosh logo made up entirely of reflective material. This is super helpful for running in dark or low light conditions.
Responsiveness
The defining feature in this running shoe is obviously its air midsole and that is precisely what defines its responsiveness level. The Air Max 2017 has a full-length air midsole that gives you an excellent bouncy feel when your heel leaves the ground. The air in the Air Max is intended to propel you forward on your runs.
Support
The lightweight cushioned foam in the midsole of these shoes provides a decent amount of cushioning that is mostly intended for comfort over support. The inner-lining that wraps around the entire foot, however, does provide a bit of support by keeping the foot securely in place. Don’t expect a shoe that helps with major pronation issues or plantar fasciitis. This shoe is comfortable for the average neutral runner.
Terrain
Although this sneaker has a fully rubberized outsole, it doesn’t have a huge grip on the bottom like some trail-running shoes have. With it’s minimal waffle-designed outsole, the Nike Air Max 2017 is best suited for road, sidewalk, treadmill, or track running.
Price
Along with a well-known brand typically comes a heftier price tag and the Nike Air Max 2017 is no exception. Although a decent pair of running shoes will often dig a little deep into your wallet, these, in particular, may just dig a little deeper. With that said, many faithful Air Max wearers will admit to you that the price is totally worth the quality.
Drop
The Air Max has a relatively large drop and isn’t designed to be a minimalist running shoe. At 13mm, this shoe is more ideal for heel strikers.
Stability
In the stability department, this sneaker loses a couple of points. Although the airbag midsole offers a springy responsiveness to the shoe, because of this design, side stability is a little shaky. In other words, because there is a big layer of air between the upper and the outsole, it takes away from the right and left stability so if you tend to over-pronate, meaning your foot rolls inward when you run or if you under-pronate, meaning your foot rolls more outward, then the lack of stability in the midsole isn’t going to help you any.
Flexibility
Because of the Flymesh upper, this shoe strikes a decent balance between flexibility and support. The flex grooves in the forefoot help the Nike Air Max 2017 move with the foot and balance out the rigidity that may be caused by the foam cushioning in the midsole.
Traction
The outsole of the Nike Air Max 2017 is designed with a waffle pattern to increase traction on a variety of surfaces. These surfaces include tracks, treadmills, and sidewalks. Although the soft rubber is great for these kinds of terrains, it is not suited for rough surfaces so the traction won’t hold up well on a trail.
Bottom Line
When it comes down to it, the Nike Air Max 2017 is a beautifully stylish and well-designed sneaker from a reputable company. It is designed to fit your foot like a glove and ensure that it won’t move even a millimeter inside of it and offers a bouncy response that will add some spring to your step. The outsole and molded upper give the shoe a great chance at being a longtime closet companion as well. An excellent feature on this shoe is the large Nike swoosh logos on either side of the midsole, giving you a safer running experience if you are headed out to hit the pavement in low light conditions.;However, as far as an excellent overall running shoe option goes, the Air Max falls a little short in the running shoe technologies department. Running sneakers have greatly evolved over the past decade or so and are moving in the minimalist shoe direction which allows for the foot to perform more naturally within the shoe. The Air Max is nowhere close to a minimalist shoe with its heavyweight, stiffer outsole, and large drop. With that said, that doesn’t mean this isn’t a good running shoe option for you especially if you tend to be more of a heel striker and don’t mind a heavier pair of shoes on your feet. One thing is for certain though: whether you buy these shoes for running on the road or running to the store, you’ll sure look good doing it.
