Nike Basketball 1992-2012 – Nike Air Hyperdunk (2008)

It may be four years after its initial release, but the  Nike Air Hyperdunk deserves some attention even during these Olympic Games. Its place in Nike Basketball’s “20 Designs That Changed The Game” comes not only because of the technology this shoe brought to the game, but also because of the accomplishments that occurred since, both on and off the court. Leading off its strong resume is its role in reclaiming the gold medal during the Olympics in Beijing, followed by a line of subsequent footwear innovations based on its unique suspension bridge-inspired design. Its super-strong nylon filaments provided support much like the cables of a bridge even while reducing its overall weight, but still leaving it capable of withstanding the most brutal of in-house stress testing. The shoe went on to inspire Nike’s design team to build the much acclaimed Lunarlon silhouette, solidifying the importance of a supportive and stylish midfoot design and marking a milestone a in Nike’s basketball design history. In addition to the 20 Designs series, find out more about other essential models throughout Nike’s history in our RE-Fresh segment.