Details
Brand
Nike
Heel To Toe Drop
10mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• BRS 1000 outsole, with flex grooves• Phylon midsole with Air cushion pods• Mesh upper• Sleek style and color choices• Treads for traction
Upper
The upper of the Tailwind 8 is primarily composed of a mesh design. Mesh is a very popular choice for uppers. This is due to the fact that mesh inherently creates a very breathable design, because of the holes weaved into it. Additionally, mesh allows for flexibility due to its woven design as well. The upper also features Nike’s tried and true Flywire cable technology. These Flywire cables overlay the upper and provide support and stability via the top of the shoe. Additionally, the inside of the shoe features a comfortable liner, which is designed to allow runners to run sockless if they so choose.
Midsole
Nike utilizes their unique Cushlon foam in the midsole of the Tailwind 8. Cushlon is a mixed substance, composed of Phylon and other rubber additives. Phylon is essentially a variation of EVA foam, packed into pellets and heated, then cooled into a mold. EVA foam is a very common material for midsoles, because of its lightweight nature and ability to retain its shape and return energy.;These properties, combined with the other rubber additives that make up the Cushlon foam do a great job of providing energy return and remaining durable. Finally, the midsole features Nike Air sole units, which are pockets designed to protect and cushion from hard impacts. The midsole as a whole is fairly solid, with good materials that allow for energy return, durability, and also are not overly heavy.
Outsole
The outsole of the Air Max Tailwind 8 is composed of BRS 1000 carbon rubber. BRS 100 is a type of rubber which has carbon mixed with it. This carbon makes the material much more shock resistant and durable, which shows in the durability of the outsole. In addition to this, the outsole features flex grooves.;These flex grooves are a common addition to many outsoles because they can help provide flexibility which benefits the stride. Finally, the outsole has some treads on it that help to improve traction. As a whole, the outsole of the Tailwind 8 is pretty solid, providing good traction, flexibility, and durability as well. It doesn’t have the most advanced technology, but it still definitely has a lot to offer.
Breathability
When it comes to breathability, the Air Max Tailwind 8 is fairly solid. The main contributing aspect of the breathability of a shoe is often the upper, and the Air Max Tailwind 8 is no exception. Luckily, the upper is well designed, and its mesh does a good job allowing circulation of air throughout the shoe. This is important in preventing sweaty feet and odor. Overall, there should be no major issues with breathability for the Tailwind 8.
Comfort
The Air Max Tailwind 8 is a fairly comfortable and well-cushioned shoe. A major component of this is the midsole, with its phylon material. This pylon helps to cushion and protect to the foot and is fairly comfortable with every stride. Comfort also comes from the upper, which is quite flexible and breathable due to the mesh design but also snug providing a secure fit. Finally, the liner inside the shoe is quite soft and makes even the interior comfortable. Overall, comfort is a fairly strong aspect of the Air Max Tailwind 8.
Style
Nike is very well known for their style worldwide, and are a very popular choice for everyday use as well as running. The Air Max Tailwind 8 is another stylish design from Nike. The shoe is quite sleek and the unique bottom appearance of the shoe allows it to stand out a bit. The Tailwind 8 is also offered in several colors that are a bit more discreet, allowing them to be used as an everyday shoe. As a whole, this shoe is quite stylish, as is to be expected of Nike.
Durability
The durability of the Tailwind 8 is decent. The outsole material, as previously mentioned, is quite durable and does a solid job of resisting wear and tear. However, apart from that, there is not much else in place to protect the outsole from wear. The midsole is decently durable as well, as Phylon is known for being long lasting due to its ability to retain its shape and springiness. Finally, the upper contributes to the durability of the shoe with its solid construction. As a whole, the durability of the Tailwind 8 is solid, though not amazing.
Protection
When it comes to protection, the Tailwind 8 is decent. Again, the outsole and its material provide protection via its durability and material. The midsole offers protection via its Air cushioning pods, and again through its Phylon material. Finally, the upper and its overlays provide protection well at the top of the shoe. As a whole, good protection is offered by the Air Max Tailwind 8.
Responsiveness
The responsiveness of the Air Max Tailwind 8 is pretty good, but not amazing. Heavier shoes tend to be a bit on the less responsive end, and the Tailwind is no exception. The midsole is fairly solid still, however, with its phylon material. The midsole tends to be the main determining factor in a shoe’s responsiveness, and the phylon used does a fairly good job of providing springiness and energy return. Overall, solid but not amazing responsiveness is provided by the Tailwind 8.
Support
The Tailwind 8 probably offers support that is a bit better than some of their other popular running trainers. This is mainly due to the Air support pods located in the midsole. These help to cushion every step and are vital in preventing bad sprains and twists. The upper also contributes via the overlays, which support the top of the foot well. Overall, the support of the Tailwind 8 is very solid due to the upper and midsole.
Terrain
As most standard running shoes are nowadays, the Tailwind 8 should be suited for most runnable terrains. Their performance will probably be best on road and concrete surfaces however. The Tailwind 8 shouldn’t have any problems with rain either, although the shoes are not waterproof, so the runner needs to be careful.
Price
Price is a bit of an odd point for the Air Max Tailwind 8. It can be found on sale in many places for a very solid price. However, if the shoe is not found on sale, it is a bit on the pricier end. In either case, the shoe does offer good technology and solid design. Runners will probably want to purchase it when it is on sale though, just to get the best bang for their buck.
Drop
The drop on the Air Max Tailwind 8 is 10 mm. Since this is a fairly standard drop for this kind of shoes, it shouldn’t be an issue for most wearers.
Stability
The Air Max Tailwind 8 is a pretty stable shoe. The first major component of this is the upper. The upper fits snugly and securely which helps stabilize the foot. This is compounded by the overlays that make the upper even more secure and stable from above. The midsole contributes to stability with its air pods, that do a good job of cushioning and protecting the foot with every stride. The Air Max Tailwind 8 is a fairly stable shoe, thanks to its upper and midsole.
Flexibility
The flexibility of the Air Max Tailwind 8 is fairly good. This is obvious when looking at the mesh design of the upper. Mesh uppers are usually more flexible than other types of uppers, and so is this one. What’s amazing is that it is both flexible and offers solid protection to the foot. The outsole is another part that contributes to the flexibility with flex grooves that allow good and natural movement with every step. Finally, the midsole material is fairly flexible, again due to its Phylon material.
Traction
The traction on these shoes is fairly decent, mainly due to the outsole. The carbon rubber material is one part that contributes to this. The rubber treads featured on the outsole also provide additional traction. The shoes will probably have the best grip on road and concrete again, but on grass, dirt, or other materials, the traction should still be very solid.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Nike Air Max Tailwind 8 is a very solid shoe. It offers a lot in the way of technology, and for its discounted price is quite a good shoe. The midsole, upper, outsole, and overall design of the shoe are all solid and make for a well-rounded trainer overall. The only thing to watch out for is the weight of the shoe, which can be off-putting for some. The Tailwind 8 is perfect for anyone seeking a heavier trainer for long distance running, or for anyone simply seeking a stylish shoe for everyday use.
