Die Jäger des Schicksals » Nike Air Presto Damen

Here’s what you need to know about the Air Max 720, the latest Air Max that dropped on February 1, and also the most decadent, stiff, outrageous sneaker to ever grace the Runner’s World office: It’s pretty ridiculous. To wear it, you have to like attention, because it’s impossible for someone to see this shoe and not form a strong opinion. And those opinions will be shared with you whether you want to hear them or not. This is that kind of shoe. Nike told us that the 720 isn’t a running shoe, which sounded like a challenge to us—more on that later.

The Air Max 720’s launch generated both hype and controversy. A petition to recall the shoe gained Adidas Superstar Damen more than Nike Air Max 90 Dámské 43,000 signatures based on the Air Max logo’s apparent depiction of the word “Allah,” which some muslims consider offensive. When asked whether the launch would go forward as planned, Nike told Runner’s World that the company is taking the concerns seriously, and that the logo “is intended to reflect the Air Max brand only. Any other perceived meaning or representation is unintentional.

Nike’s previous flagship Air Max, the Air Max 270, packs a 32mm air pillow in the sole; at 38mm, the new Air Max 720 puts a veritable bounce house of cushioning underfoot. That added 6mm is designed to provide all-day comfort for not just your foot, but also your environmental conscience—Nike says the 720’s air bag is made from more than 75-percent recycled manufacturing waste. In person, the air bag looks even bigger, and because it juts out past Nike Air Max 90 Mujer your heel, you feel it compressing with every step. It’s an odd sensation at first, but you don’t notice it on the run and it does beget that air-walk feel after you get the hang of it.

If the shimmering air sole and accompanying overlays are the gaudiest parts of the shoe, the wavy upper is the most polarizing. You either love it or hate it; I got all kinds of unsolicited feedback. “You’re wearing those?” was the gist, although sneakerheads might take that as a compliment. The fit feels a bit small, although the toe box isn’t cramped and the midfoot doesn’t feel particularly narrow. The soles are seriously plush, especially in the forefoot, which is necessary in a firm shoe that otherwise feels like it’s entered rigor mortis.

The stiffness, and the 17.8-ounce weight (in a men’s size 12), don’t totally discount the Air Max 720 as Nike Air Max 270 Damen an occasional running shoe. It isn’t a running shoe, of course, but it doesn’t feel bad on the jog. Those massive air soles produce enough rebound to offset some of the shoe’s heft; it’s not enough to disguise all of its planetary mass, but enough to keep it from feeling as slow as it should. If you’re a midfoot striker, the bulbous heel isn’t stride-altering. We still wouldn’t pick the shoe for everyday running, but it might be the perfect Instagram flex at the gym. And if you’re wondering why we’re talking about this shoe at all, it’s because we appreciate that Nike’s most stylish casual shoes look a lot like running shoes, and we’re always curious to know how the day’s hottest sneakers hold up to actual running—against Nike’s advice, now we know.

The company says you can expect to see full-length, 720-degree visible air sweep Nike Air Presto Damen through a variety of the brand’s designs. Could a dedicated running shoe be in the works? Only time will tell. In the meantime, Nike has teased the next 720 release, the Jordan Proto-Max 720.