Nike Takes Legal Action Against Skechers Over Air VaporMax-Inspired Sneakers

The Nike Air VaporMax is one of the most iconic sneakers of the 21st century. Introduced to the world in 2017, it has quickly become one of the Beaverton-based brand's most popular lifestyle sneakers due to its legendary full length Air unit that took Kathy Gomez, VP of Underfoot Cushioning Innovation, fifteen tries just to get right. With all this success, competitors like Skechers have tried to replicate this winning formula with their own inspired shoe, and the Swoosh is having absolutely none of it.

According to reports, Nike is taking legal action against the Californian footwear brand for allegedly copying the Air VaporMax. In a recent lawsuit, Nike claims that Skechers is creating “Skecherized versions” of its silhouettes, pointing at the models like the Skech-Air Atlas, the Skech-Air 92, the Skech-Air Stratus, and the Skech-Air Blast as key infringers.

“Nike filed this lawsuit to continue to defend its design innovation and stop Skechers from free-riding on Nike's significant investment of talent and resources that are deployed to innovate.” states Nike, who also claims that Skechers made their own version of the Air Max 270.

Of course, this isn't the first time the two behemoths have gone head-to-head in court. Back in 2016, Nike accused Skechers of ripping off its Free and Flyknit models. Do you see any similarities between the sneakers? Whose side are you on in this case? Let us know what you're thinking, and make sure you keep it locked at The Sole Supplier for the latest and greatest sneaker news.