Nike Air Zoom 90 IT shoes launched

Inspired by the popular Nike Air Max, the Nike Air Zoom 90 IT shoes will be worn by Rory McIlroy this week at the Players Championship

Rory McIlroy will be sporting his third pair of golf shoes of the year at this week’s Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Having already worn the Lunar Control 4 and Flyknit Chukka shoes since the start of 2016, McIlroy will be teeing it up wearing the new Nike Air Zoom 90 IT golf shoes, inspired by the popular off course shoe the Nike Air Max.

Nike Golf footwear designer Tinker Hatfield’s original inspiration for the Air Max came from the Centre Pompidou. In turn, the now-iconic silhouette inspired numerous offshoot designs, like the Air Max 90, which have subsequently inspired countless athletes.

Rory McIlroy is among the many; it was the golfer’s love of the Air Max 90 that prompted Nike designers to adapt the style into a performance golf shoe.

“I wear Air Max casually off the golf course all the time,” McIlroy explains. “Making it into a golf shoe really brings something new to the golf course. Not only is it different and very cool but it also performs well, giving me the comfort, traction and stability that I need.”

These attributes result from the Nike Air Zoom 90 IT’s custom Zoom Air sole in the forefoot, which also provides lightweight, responsive cushioning. Meanwhile, the upper’s waterproof, one-piece bootie construction keeps the foot dry and locked in. A versatile rubber outsole with Nike Integrated Traction allows golfers to wear the shoe both on and off the course.

“I dress pretty casually off the course, so it’s nice to have options. If I want to go straight from the course to somewhere else, I can do it and not feel like I standout and look like a golfer,” McIlroy said.

The Nike Air Zoom 90 IT will be available in both the black/white and white/black colourways on May 13th at nike.com and select retailers.

NEXT: Players Championship betting tips