Materials library

On-demand ventilation

Aerogami

Aerogami is a venting system that autonomously adapts to a runner's needs, creating more-breathable performance gear with on-demand ventilation. The material innovation uses moisture-reactive vents that autonomously open and close upon sensing sweat against the body.

“Our greatest innovations come from the collision of three forces: science, feel, and emotional design. You hit that right and you will have a disruptive product.” 

– Tom Clarke, President of Nike Innovation

Three elements of a disruptive product

The process to create Nike Forward requires fewer steps than traditional Nike knits or wovens which significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the first generation Forward material — an average of 75% reduction compared to traditional knit fleece used by Nike.

Nike Forward

Nike Grind is a material derived from manufacturing scrap and end-of-life shoes. It’s all part of Nike’s vision for a circular future. 130 million pounds of Nike Grind have been recycled into product since 1992.

Recycled material

3D-printed textiles start as yarn. Generative design gives them shape. Nike Flyprint was Nike’s first 3D-printed textile upper used in performance footwear. It was used to create a much lighter version of the VaporFly Elite for Eliud Kipchoge.

3D-printed textiles

Informed by data gathered in the NSRL, AeroAdapt was designed to help keep athletes at their optimal temperature. In this particular construction, the yarn appears flat in straight, horizontal lines. When wet, the yarns contract to allow air flow and the fabric appears crinkled and raised.

Yarn

Nike Flyleather looks and feels like premium leather but is created using less water and a lower carbon footprint than traditional leather manufacturing. Because it’s produced on a roll, it improves cutting efficiency and creates less waste than cut-and-sew methods for full-grain leather.

Low-carbon leather

Nike Flyknit, which first debuted on footwear in 2012, is a digitally engineered knitting process that is lightweight, form fitting and virtually seamless. Today the technology is used in footwear and apparel, from some of LeBron James’s signature basketball shoes to the Nike FE/NOM Flyknit Bra.

Knits

Vaporweave is a woven material used on footwear uppers, like the marathon-dominating Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT%. It is lighter than Nike Flyknit, breathable, and absorbs far less water from sweat or rain, so it stays airy and dry over the course of a marathon.

Wovens

Space Hippie, made from transformed factory and post-consumer waste, uses about 85 to 90 percent recycled polyester Space Waste Yarn, recycled Nike ZoomX foam and Crater Foam. Originally a footwear material, the apparel innovation team carried the inspiration into the 100% recycled Space Hippie tee.

Factory and post-consumer waste

Nike Air consists of pressurized air inside a tough yet flexible bag. Air and foam combine to provide resilience and cushioning, or bounce. Air soles contain at least 50% recycled materials and are made with 100% renewable energy.

Aerogami

AerogamiOn-demand ventilation