Nike Air Max Review

Overall Rating

A reasonably comfortable trainer when first tried in the shop.

The Price
Quality
Manufacturer
Marketing

I have no idea where to start with this, so I am going to follow these bullet points and eventually arrive to a climax where I rip this particular Nike Air Max Trainer to bits.

1 - The Price - For some reason Nike continue to charge extremely ridiculous high prices for a training shoe that doesn't last more than 10 months. The average shoe hits the market at a whopping 90 quid and is no different to the abominable Nike Air Max that originally came out more than 10 years ago (1991 to be exact) except for the not so eye-catching colours, which may I add look like they have been dipped in the River Tees by that dude from Art Attack.

2 - Quality - Frankly speaking, the life expectancy of this training shoe is about as long as Sunderland football club in the Premiership - 1 season! Why does Nike insist on making this shoe from material that is not viably resistant enough to the harsh and cold elements of the UK weather. The toe bit at the front of the shoe begins to peel away after at least two months of everyday (normal) use! I would be surprised if the air bubble hadn't popped by week 15. Once the air bubble pops, then comes the disintegration of the foamy bit - Exposure to wet conditions in the UK is a known problem regarding this shoe - UK rain usually contains particles with 50 per cent carbon, 45 per cent oxygen with traces of sodium and iron. Before long your Nike trainer is resembling a brown air blowing paupers sandal. That sounds conclusively absurd when walking around a bus station after just coming in from the rain.

3 - Manufacturer - Nike has had bad publicity for its labour conditions in its factories, I'm not going to say more, as usually these corporate machines like to file lawsuits regarding this particular point.

4 - Marketing - Nike continue to pursue the Nike Air campaign; which for me after more than 10 years has become repetitive, boring, ceaseless, consecutive - shall I go on? Yes, i think I will. The new marketing direction is called 'Walk on Air' - I find it hardly conceivable that this shoe resembles anything remotely near walking on air. This relentless and persistent passion with 'Air' is purely just a marketing exaggeration aimed at misfortunate working class people who continue to be influenced by this excessive corporate absurdity.

In conclusion and in all honesty, I unquestionably detest all aspects of this shoe - it does not meet the consumers needs of price and quality. I do agree that Nike make, in some areas, more suitable shoes, however, this is not the forum to discuss those particular shoes!

Nike is a well established American sports shoe/equipment/clothing manufacturer. The corporate name itself makes reference to the Greek Goddess of Victory - the literal translation and significance of the word Nike.

Nike's revenue of 2006 (31 May) was approximately $15 billion.

Zinedine Zidane fans have also boycotted Nike for the treatment the Frenchman received during the cup final of the World Cup against Italian player Marco Materazzi.

Members' Comments onCult Fiction's Review

• Anonymous101 on 18th Dec 2006

  During my formative years I could only daydream of the ownership of a pair of Air Max brand Nike training shoes. As a younger male I had to suffer the indignity of wearing lesser brands such as Hi-Tec, Gola. I think I owned a pair of Quasar's too, a brand which never really took off if I remember correctly. To be honest Hi-Tec was a step up for me, as prior to this period nearly all my footwear was purchased from "Doggy Market". The playground taunts aimed at me included "Adidas 4 stripe" and "Adidas add a stripe". I recall my shoes "talking", where as the sole would fall off from the toe end. When I finally had the resources to invest in a pair of Nike Air Max, I have to say that I echo your sentiments with regards to this product. I have found the shoe to be of low quality, and I am ashamed that some lads down poor lands are grafting for buttons because I want a new pair of "trendy" sneakers. No, I will not buy this brand again, and I will opt for Adidas Torsion or Puma King in the future.

• Cult Fiction on 21st Feb 2007

  I agree with everything you said and with everything I wrote - so why on Saturday did I go and buy a pair of Nike Air Max!!??

• Anonymous101 on 22nd Feb 2007

  We really are a pair of crazy consumers! I've just bought a snazzy pair of Puma's. I hope I didn't oppress anyone in China!