Nike Air Max+ 2011

I finally have new running shoes! The Nike Air Max+ 2011. First let me go back to about 2 years ago when Nike decided to release the Air Max 2009 with the full-length air max soles. This was an upgrade from the previous Air Max soles with bubbles at the forefoot and heels of sneakers. My cousin bought a pair of 2009s and told me how comfortable they were as did everyone else I knew who had a pair. Fast forward a couple years to 3 weeks ago…I come from work, scour over the crib to make sure things are in place like I usually do and all the way in the back room I spot a crispy pair of grey and neon green Nike Air Max+ 2011. My cousin pulled a fast one and picked up a pair on sale for only $99 down from $160. Lucky for him we don’t wear the same size or I would’ve tried them on. I asked him about them later and he gave me the scoop on where he found them.

I thought to myself “I can’t complain about $99 for a pair of top of the line Air Max”. I counted money in my head and did the Birdman hand rub. I walked to the front door where I keep my running shoes and gave my Nike Free 7.0, the “your days are numbered look”. Of course I had few other things I had to take care off before I could go running to the store to by new sneakers. Well it just so happens the misses was in the mood to upgrade her footwear to begin some new training sessions and she bought herself a pair after seeing my cousin’s shoes. Little did I know she also bought me a pair. Only she didn’t by the pair that were on sale, she bought a newer color way at full price. The sneaker gods were watching out for me because the first pair I received were too small. How is that a blessing you ask? Because when I returned them to get a bigger size…this exact colorway was now on sale from $160 to $109. (does Birdman hand rub again) You’ve got to agree that everything, especially clothing and shoes, look and feel better when its on sale. So I literally had the chance to pocket a few bucks off these sneakers.

Now for the most important part…how do they actually feel? Let’s just say there’s a Nike factory in Heaven and they used little pieces of clouds to create the air bubbles. These Air Max are the most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever had. They even top my retro Air Max 95’s that I’ve worn so much the heel of the soles are breaking around the air bubbles. These new Air Max just instantly put me in a good mood (and they make me taller). The Hyperfuse technology on the upper of the shoe makes it really light. The mesh, sock-like sleeve gives it a snug plush pillowy kind of feel. My favorite part though is the full-length Air Max unit in the sole. I can hardly believe I’m walking on the ground when I have theses on. Lately I’ve been getting a bit of runners knee and although the Nike Free 7.0 are light, flexible and give a natural feel they aren’t as good in cushioning and the hurts my knee. These Air Max are GREAT for cushioning and impact protection. I wore these once or twice before I broke them in on the treadmill for a 4 mile run. Now that I have an upgraded sneaker that is Nike+ ready, I figured why not take advantage of Nike’s handy interactive app that records and tracks all your runs. (I strongly suggest this app if you’re a runner who uses an iPod or iPhone)

Midsole

There are three more features to highlight with these sneakers. First, the Nike FitSoles, which are in a lot of the newer Nike running shoes, provide great cushion on the inside of the shoe. Second, if you remove the FitSoles and press against what would be the top of the midsole you’ll feel that there’s more cushion. This leds to the cushiony outer midsole that seems provide more impact protection. Last but not least, the flex grooves in the full-length Air Max unit. This isn’t my first time with the full-length Air Max unit. My first experience with it would be the Nike Lebron Dunkman 7’s. They featured the f/l Air Max unit but shoe bottoms are flat for better basketball traction I guess. This flex groove feature gives the shoe a more natural bare-foot feel as you walk and run. This is something I’m used to coming from the Nike Free which was made to imitate the feel of running barefoot.  

Flex grooves

I’ll definitely say these are my most comfortable shoes and have moved right up to my number 1 sneaker as far as functionality is concerned. I’d wear these all the time but that just wouldn’t look very good. These get a 9.5 out of 10. They lose half a point for being cut small. I can definitely see why people would buy multiple pairs of Nike+ Air Max 2011. If you wore them as much as I actually want to wear them you’d need another pair in as soon a two months. They’re that comfortable. If I didn’t remove my shoes when I entered my house I’d never take these off.