Zack Schlemmer 
Nike celebrates, a major anniversary this year, the 20th anniversary of the Nike Air Foamposite One. The sneakers that introduced an entire new design language and style to the basketball court—and the street—is no doubt one of Nike’s most important models of all time, and the brand recognizes its impact with a look back at its birth.
The brain-child of Nike designer Eric Avar, Foamposite technology was created to act as a “liquid foam” that wrapped the foot, providing a dynamic fit and support, as well as added durability in comparison to traditional basketball sneaker constructions. Recalling his original thought process for Foamposite, Avar states, “There was this notion of what if you literally just dipped your foot in this liquid bath of material and it just sucked around your foot? And what if you could go play basketball in that? That was the inspiration and I tried hard to get people to see that.”
The time spent developing and designing the unprecedented Foamposite was obviously not in vain, as it’s gone on to become one of the most iconic and recognizable models in Nike’s history—all while still looking like it could be from the future. Celebrate the 20th anniversary with a look at a few original sketches and prototypes, including one with an Air Max heel unit, and expect the original “Royal” colorway of the Air Foamposite One to hit select Nike Sportswear retailers beginning tomorrow, January 20th. (Release info HERE.)
Source: Nike SNKRS
Mold for creating the Foamposite uppers
