Nike Sportswear – Air Presto | Summer 2011

In visiting the genealogy of Nike Free, its creator Tobie Hatfield, recounted Nike Free’s predecessor, the Nike Air Presto, during yesterday’s Nike Greater China Summit in Beijing. Debuted during early part of 2000, the Air Presto realized many breakthroughs, especially in the realm of material developments. For Hatfield, who was a star athlete in collegiate track & field competition, the Air Presto coalesced the elements so desired by runners up to that time – a blend of lightweight protection with amble support. From its establishment and subsequent sales (millions have sold since 2000), Hatfield realized the design limits set by capabilities of materials were no longer an issue. This put in the groundwork for the development of Nike Free some 4 years later.  A visual storytelling, Nike will launch the Air Presto the summer in several vibrant hues to coincide the new Nike Free Collection, and a way to convey its history in a tactile,  3-dimensional forms.