Nike Just Turned Air Into Team USA's Smartest Olympic Jacket - Yanko Design
Briefly

Nike Just Turned Air Into Team USA's Smartest Olympic Jacket - Yanko Design
"Lotti explained that Nike has been working with air as a cushioning technology in footwear for half a century, but they've barely scratched the surface of what air can do. The interesting twist? From a design perspective, they're working with a medium that's completely invisible. You can't see air, you can't touch it in the traditional sense, yet it's proving to be one of the most versatile materials in their arsenal."
"With the Air Milano, that problem disappears. The jacket inflates with a small battery-powered fan through a valve on the front, and it takes about 20 seconds to go from windbreaker to mid-weight puffer. Need to cool down? Press the same valve and gradually release the air. The whole process happens while you're moving, which means you can adjust your warmth on the fly without breaking stride or stopping to fuss with layers."
"Remember when Nike introduced the Air Milano jacket a few months back? The inflatable jacket that promised to solve the age-old runner's dilemma of overheating mid-run? Well, it just made its official debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, and Nike's chief design officer Martin Lotti is making it clear: this isn't some novelty stunt. The jacket's now being worn by Team USA athletes during medal ceremonies, which is pretty much the ultimate endorsement for any piece of sportswear."
Nike introduced an inflatable jacket called the Air Milano that debuted at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Team USA athletes wore the jacket during medal ceremonies. Nike's design team is extending decades-long use of air cushioning in footwear to apparel, treating air as an invisible, versatile design medium. The jacket inflates with a small battery-powered fan through a front valve, taking about 20 seconds to transform from windbreaker to mid-weight puffer. Pressing the valve gradually releases air to cool down, and inflation or deflation can occur while moving so runners can adjust warmth on the fly. Designers highlight the jacket's favorable weight-to-warmth ratio as a compelling advantage compared with traditional down puffers.
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