A Sneakerhead's Dream: Collecting Orlando Magic Vapormax Sneakers

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The Orlando Magic Vapormax sneakers are an exclusive collaboration between the Orlando Magic basketball team and Nike. These sneakers are a stylish and modern take on the classic Vapormax design, featuring bold colors and the iconic Orlando Magic logo. One of the standout features of the Orlando Magic Vapormax sneakers is the unique colorway. The sneakers are mainly black, with vibrant blue and silver accents. This color scheme represents the team's identity and adds a fresh and eye-catching look to the shoes. The Orlando Magic logo is prominently featured on the sneakers.


Like most of Nike's new running sneakers of late, the upper is made of a single piece of Flyknit fabric. While the ultra-lightweight knit may seem in contrast to the bulkier sole, the upper sits comfortably atop it thanks to what Gomez calls "swept pinch" edges, which curve up around the sides of the plastic footbed. "If we changed the sole a millimeter, it would have thrown everything off," she says. In the end, all that tweaking and attention to detail means the two parts actually look like they're in harmony. "They have to work together," says Andreas Harlow, VP and creative director of Nike Running. "Whatever we did with the upper had to be in service of the sole. When you look at it, you get this one sensation, but when you wear it you get something completely different."

They also did away with the rubber outsole most sneakers have in favor of a plastic one made from a thicker version of the one they already make the Air bags with, which allowed them to make the sole more like one cohesive piece. Nike is the reigning champ of the sneaker business still, despite some healthy competition in recent years with its market share of American athletic footwear at an impressive 45.

Orlando magic Vapormax sneakers

The Orlando Magic logo is prominently featured on the sneakers. The logo is embroidered on the tongue and is also present on the back, near the heel of the shoes. This logo adds a touch of exclusivity and makes it clear that these sneakers are a special edition collaboration with the Orlando Magic.

Why VaporMax Is the Change Nike Needed

Nike is the reigning champ of the sneaker business—still, despite some healthy competition in recent years—with its market share of American athletic footwear at an impressive 45%. Of course, sitting in the number-one spot doesn't mean you can rest easy. At its (literal) heels are brands like Adidas and Puma—which continue to pick up steam thanks to innovation and collaborations—both of which have had enormous financial and cultural success of late. (According to market-data firm NPD, Adidas doubled its U.S. athletic-footwear market share to 10% as of January 2017.) Innovation has always been at the core of Nike's design philosophy, whether with concept-car models like the self-lacing HyperAdapt 1.0 or real-world game-changers. With the just-unveiled VaporMax, Nike is trying to change the game once again.

The VaporMax is the most radical change-up to the Air Max running-shoe line in years. As was the case with the original Air Max in 1987, the most jarring part of the Nike VaporMax is its sole. It's anything but sleek when compared to the kicks the Swoosh normally produces. But Nike doesn't make out-there designs for the sake of making out-there designs (just ask legendary Nike designer Tinker Hatfield, whose original Air Max concept—the Air Max Zero—was actually shot down in the mid-’80s). Nike designs for athletes and performance first, which is why it wear-tested the VaporMax with the help of 350 people who in total ran 126,000 miles in the sneakers before turning them over to the public.

For Kathy Gomez, VP of Nike Innovation, the VaporMax sole was an engineering challenge. "We had to totally reimagine how to make a shoe, as we went from a sort of Air mattress to these unencumbered tubes," she says. "The question went from 'How much Air can you put under your foot?' to 'How much Air do you need to put under your foot, and where?'" They also did away with the rubber outsole most sneakers have in favor of a plastic one made from a thicker version of the one they already make the Air bags with, which allowed them to make the sole more like one cohesive piece. In fact, Gomez says the plastic outsole is more durable than typical sneaker rubber, and even gives runners unprecedented traction.

Nike VaporMax "Pure Platinum"

Like most of Nike's new running sneakers of late, the upper is made of a single piece of Flyknit fabric. While the ultra-lightweight knit may seem in contrast to the bulkier sole, the upper sits comfortably atop it thanks to what Gomez calls "swept pinch" edges, which curve up around the sides of the plastic footbed. "If we changed the sole a millimeter, it would have thrown everything off," she says. In the end, all that tweaking and attention to detail means the two parts actually look like they're in harmony. "They have to work together," says Andreas Harlow, VP and creative director of Nike Running. "Whatever we did with the upper had to be in service of the sole. When you look at it, you get this one sensation, but when you wear it you get something completely different."

It's likely that the foam-like ZoomX sole—which Nike just unveiled last week—will be its most direct attempt to steal customers away from Adidas and its Boost line of product. But neither Gomez nor Harlow is focused on ZoomX for the time being. Nike Air is paramount to the brand, and it's VaporMax that's more likely to end up on the feet of actual runners. Though we can't wait to try ZoomX, it's not exactly a bummer to settle for the VaporMax. It may look like a wonky shoe, but at the end of the day, it actually delivers on its promise of cloud-like comfort.

Perhaps the coolest thing about Nike VaporMax is something that isn't even on the shoe itself. Every sole for the VaporMax is made in Nike's new $40.5 million factory in Portland, Oregon. President Trump will likely take credit for the move, but it was back in 2015 that Nike said it was planning to move 10,000 manufacturing and engineering jobs to the United States. With VaporMax, the new factory isn't just the beginning of Nike's new made-in-America initiative—it's the beginning of what could be its latest push toward dominance, and a simple yet clear reminder of how it got to #1 in the first place.

Nike VaporMax "Pure Platinum"
Orlando magic vapormax sneakers

In terms of performance, the Orlando Magic Vapormax sneakers do not disappoint. They feature a lightweight and breathable Flyknit upper, which provides a snug and supportive fit. The Vapormax cushioning system offers responsive and comfortable cushioning, making these sneakers suitable for both on-court play and everyday wear. Overall, the Orlando Magic Vapormax sneakers are a must-have for fans of the Orlando Magic or sneaker enthusiasts. They combine style and performance in a unique and eye-catching design. Whether you're a basketball player or simply a fan of the team, these sneakers are a great way to show your support for the Orlando Magic..

Reviews for "Unlock Your Performance Potential with Orlando Magic Vapormax Sneakers"

1. John - ★☆☆☆☆ (1 out of 5 stars)
I was really disappointed with the Orlando Magic VaporMax sneakers. The design looked cheap and the colors didn't match up to the promotional images. The overall quality of the sneakers was also subpar, with loose stitching and easily worn out soles. They were not comfortable to wear and felt like they were made from cheap materials. I would definitely not recommend these sneakers to anyone looking for a good quality shoe.
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 stars)
I had high expectations for the Orlando Magic VaporMax sneakers, but unfortunately, they fell short. The fit was awkward and didn't provide enough support, especially in the arch area. The cushioning felt uneven and didn't offer the comfort I was looking for. Additionally, the sneakers were not true to size, with the pair I received being too small. The design looked better in the promotional images, but in reality, it lacked the vibrant colors and details. Overall, I was not impressed with these sneakers and wouldn't purchase them again.
3. Mike - ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 stars)
The Orlando Magic VaporMax sneakers were a disappointment to me. The build quality was not up to par, and I noticed signs of wear and tear after just a few weeks of use. The cushioning, while advertised to provide excellent comfort, felt lacking and didn't provide the support I needed during workouts. I also found the design to be unappealing, with the logo and colors looking rather dull. Overall, I expected more from these sneakers, and I wouldn't recommend them based on my experience.

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