wolfcabrio's Full Review: Nike Air Max 180+ II Running for Men
The Nike Air Max 180 would be classified as a middle to high-end running shoe that is designed for a variety of activities and user preferences. Running shoes are usually critiqued and evaluated by different kinds of runners under many unique circumstances, so the review will be tailored to my individual running/body application. The following review will also take that into account and provide a general overview of the shoe’s performance and capability in my personal application. Furthermore, my experiences with the shoe may act as a simple guide in your shoe research between brands and models.
For the past 12 years I have been running almost exclusively in Nike Air Max shoes and have had many excellent experiences with several different variations of the Air Max line. The entire line of Air Max shoes have proven to be very utilitarian in their delivery of performance and longevity to the general population of runners, as several materials, shapes, and shoe weights are considered in design concepts. Virtually all runners of various performance levels and body types will find the Air Max line to be a satisfactory choice of shoe, while other will be move on to other models/brands.
Many models of Air Max 180 shoes, for both men and women, are targeted at a wide audience of runners with average level running styles and abilities. This means that runners at a normal body weight, a normal running stride, and a typical running distance of 5-10 miles (and less) would be ideal candidates for this shoe. The ideal runner for this shoe is one that runs very fast, weighs very little, has no need for increased support or stability, runs on flat quick surfaces, and does not run great distances. The shoe is not a base model that would suit the needs of beginner runners, nor is it an advanced model that would suit the need of those running in marathons. Runners with special needs in terms of cushioning, stability, support, motion control, weight, traction, or ventilation would be best to look into different Nike models or other manufacturers. While being by far the most versatile shoe offered by Nike, it most likely leaves special needs runners unsatisfied.
I have recently put approximately 200 miles on my new pair of Air Max 180s and have found the overall performance to be satisfactory. My needs over the years have changed so I will most likely not purchase another pair for long distance running, but would prefer to use them for an everyday gym, walking, or recreation shoe. The shoe does not contain any kind of special technology or material to increase support or stability for my needs. For personal comparison, I weigh 185 lbs, measure 6ֶ”, with a medium build. I run at a 7 minute pace, and usually run about 25 miles per week.
Running Surfaces-
After 7-8 miles, the shoe feels squishy and unsupportive and I start to feel pain in my ankles and heels. It is however, a good shoe to use on a variety of surfaces. I have repeatedly exposed the shoe to various conditions such as rain, heat, dry/wet pavement, dry/wet dirt, hills, trails, carpet, and grass. The shoe performs good under these conditions, but not exceptional in any one of them.
Shoe Material-
The material of the model I have been using is a synthetic upper that is extremely breathable. It wicks away moisture well, and dries quickly if it becomes wet during a run. Under dry conditions, I have never even had sweaty feel in these shoes where other shoe models and brands have left my feet extremely sweaty. The fabric upper is very durable, easy to clean, and very light weight. The sole is a durable rubber surface that maintains traction on virtually any surface you may find yourself. A clear plastic air chamber is exposed at the heel section. One particular problem I have is that the heel air chamber protrudes out away from the shoe too far which causes blisters to form on my heel as my foot awkwardly strikes the ground. Pre-purchase, it is a good idea to put the shoe on and look down at your heel to see how far out the plastic sole portion of the shoe protrudes beyond the fabric upper portion of the shoe.
The shoe fabric also features silver reflective surfaces to increase exposure at night to cars and other potential hazards. One particular complaint of the shoe is how the sole is slightly divided by a gap between the heel and forefoot right where the arch of the foot is. This causes the foot to strike the ground much harder in a stomping fashion as the heel first strikes, then the forefoot. The ideal design is that starting with the heel, the shoe will create a more natural rolling motion until the end of the toes leave the ground.
Foot Bed-
The interior foot bed of the shoe is a very soft and comfortable surface that resists unnecessary friction between the runner’s sock and the shoe surface which prevents blisters. The insole is a comfortable foam insert that is very light weight and quick to dry.
Conclusion-
Shoe reviews are very personal and objective because shoes fit everyone differently because of their body type and practical application. If I were to rate the shoe on a scale of 1-10 for different categories the results would be the following:
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.