Nike Zoom Air: a 1990s Icon
Nike is one of the most recognizable brands worldwide, and the Swoosh isn't just a logo but an icon. It's hard to picture a checkmark without equating it to the brand. While the Swoosh is iconic, other Nike technologies like Zoom get global recognition — even if the brand name isn't purely Nike.
In 1995, Nike debuted Zoom Air — a thin, ultra-responsive piece of cushioning made from pressurized air that revolutionized the sneaker industry for its responsive, low-profile cushioning. Zoom features stretched tensile fibers that are knit inside the Air unit. When the Air unit gets pressed down by the athlete's foot, the fibers compress to cushion the impact before springing back for an explosive bounce. Zoom Air was initially launched specifically for running, football and basketball, but quickly made its way across every Nike product category.
Nike Air Zooms to Skateboarding
One of the first Nike SB models to feature Zoom technology was the Nike Air Zoom FC, which debuted in 2003. After the success of the Nike SB Dunk Low and Dunk High from the previous year, designer Michael Hernández went to another classic model — this time from soccer instead of basketball. The SB Air Zoom FC (short for football club) brought the mid-90s heritage soccer aesthetic but retooled it for skaters. The low-top silhouette includes Zoom Air for cushioning, more padding in the tongue and heel cup, perforated side panels for breathability and a rubber outsole for superb grip.
The SB Air Zoom FC is still highly collectible, partially because it dropped out of the SB product line. Some of the most sought-after colorways are soccer-inspired ones, like the suede Nike SB Air Zoom FC "Barcelona" in Burgundy/Blue (308173-641) and the Doernbecher pink, white and blue pair (308173-141) from 2004.
Zoom also began appearing in signature models like Paul Rodriguez's debut sneaker, the Nike SB Paul Rodriguez Zoom Air Elite, in 2005. The first colorway was nicknamed the J-Rod as it was an official collaboration between Jordan Brand and Nike SB. It's legendary because Nike and Jordan designer Tinker Hatfield came over to SB to design it with Rodriguez as a tribute to Michael Jordan and an official collaboration between Jordan and SB.
The shoe is filled with references to MJ's signature sneaker line, including an elephant print overlay on the upper, Jumpman branding and a Nike Zoom cupsole. The original Sterling Grey/White/Black/Deep Red colorway (312953-011) is highly collectible for both skate and basketball footwear aficionados, and prices can range from $400 and up in new or used condition. Other Paul Rodriguez Zoom Air Elite colorways, often called the P-Rod 1, are somewhat collectible. The "Cinco De May" (213953-111) was released in 2015 as a 10th anniversary retro in full white leather and Zoom Air (310802-100).
Zoom Becomes a Signature
As the Nike SB skate team continued to grow, Nike began adding more pro model sneakers. Nike Air Zoom is a constant throughout the Paul Rodriguez product line, including the Nike SB Paul Rodriguez 2 Zoom Air and P-Rod V-8, before bringing it back, starting with the P-Rod 9.
Other Nike signature shoes picked up on Zoom, including the low-profile Nike SB Air Zoom Janoski in both the original version, like Digi Floral Pink (482972-900) and remastered Janoski models like the premium Camo (AQ7878-200). Other Janoski versions like the Nike SB Air Max Stefan Janoski 2 use the Zoom Air more visibly than the classic models.
Zoom Is Everywhere in the Nike SB
The Nike SB category is full of Zoom technology today — the Air units are almost as synonymous with Nike sneakers as the Swoosh. Other current and discontinued Nike SB models that use Zoom Air technology include the Nike SB Shane and the Nike SB Zoom Blazer in low, mid and high versions.