It can be tough to choose among your favorites, but sometimes you have to. For today’s OPENING ACT, Kayo pits his two highest-rated sneakers—Nike’s Air Vapormax 2019 and the AirMax 720—against each other in an attempt to pick an all-out winner.
Since we haven’t unboxed the Vapormax yet, let’s take close look at them. This pair is black and gold (which actually looks more like copper) and is wrapped in mesh ripstop material. The air pods on the bottom sole directly touch the ground and they’re slightly tight, especially in the midsection. Overall they’re snug but breathable. “While they’re a performance running shoe, they’re still quite a stunner,” Kayo says, pointing out their quasi-military look. “And while they’re not waterproof by any stretch, they dry very, very quickly. “
While extremely comfortable, they take some breaking in: “It took me about five wears, but I fell in love with them after. Around the collar, there’s some stiff material that gets pretty thin. It can cause some discomfort when you start wearing them, so wear some nice thick socks the first few times you bring them out. The airbag in the sole also needs some time to become flexible. “
Comparing them to the 720s, you can really see how much bigger the 720s are. If you line them up by the toe there’s a whole extra inch in the back sole. That extra air cushion gives them an advantage over the Vapormax, and the sleek lines give them the final edge. Overall, Kayo rates the 720s as his favorite.