Nike has spent nearly five decades perfecting Air technology. The Therma-FIT Air Milano Jacket is the brand’s latest breakthrough. It is powered by A.I.R. (Adapt. Inflate. Regulate.) technology, which allows athletes to control their warmth without changing clothes.
Team USA athletes will wear this jacket during medal ceremonies in Milan this winter. They will experience firsthand how Nike has transformed its signature cushioning system into something entirely new for outerwear.
The jacket solves an age-old problem for athletes: how to stay warm during cold-weather competitions without overheating when moving. Traditional solutions require adding or removing layers. Nike found a better answer.
The same air technology that revolutionized footwear comfort now offers dynamic temperature control through inflatable and deflatable baffles built into the jacket’s structure. Athletes can adjust their insulation level from hoodie-light to mid-weight puffer in seconds.
“Air Milano signals a new and exciting era in Nike’s legacy of Air, bringing forward a distinctive innovation that offers responsive and intelligent insulation to all athletes,” says Danielle Kayembe, expert in apparel product innovation management. “Air Milano shows Nike at its best – blending athlete science and data-driven design to create responsive, engineered garments that drive athletic performance.”
The jacket is made of a two-layer composite laminate material that is soft yet durable enough for athletic activities. This fabric allows air to inflate specific zones while maintaining the garment’s shape and function.
Before developing this solution, Nike designers studied years of data about cold-weather athletic performance. They recognized that Air technology could solve thermal regulation challenges without the limitations of traditional insulation materials, such as down or synthetic fill.
Those materials require horizontal construction, which restricts design possibilities. Air technology allowed designers to explore new forms and fits. The result showcases computational design and digital tools that precisely sculpt air volume and space.
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Body mapping data from the Nike Sport Research Lab informed where inflation chambers should be placed. Designers placed the chambers strategically to maximize warmth where athletes need it most.
“This innovation marks a bold new chapter for Nike, as we have successfully evolved Air technology to create an outerwear solution that serves athletes and pushes the boundaries of what apparel can do,” says Amie Achtymichuk, lead apparel development innovator. “Air Milano isn’t just another jacket; it’s a living innovation. Every detail was engineered to let athletes customize their comfort and fit, creating a personalized experience that enhances their performance and redefines adaptive outerwear.”
The jacket is part of Nike’s Functional Innovative Technologies (FIT) system, which includes Therma-FIT insulation, Aero-FIT cooling technology, Dri-FIT moisture management, and Storm-FIT weather protection. These technologies work together to help athletes perform under various conditions.
Nike has been exploring inflatable outerwear for two decades. The ACG Airvantage jacket introduced this category to the brand. More recently, the ISPA Adapt Sense Air demonstrated Nike’s ongoing interest in air-based garment construction. The Milano jacket builds on these experiments with more sophisticated engineering.
Team USA athletes received exclusive design elements on their jackets. These jackets feature sculpted details specific to each team, a custom ACG pump, metallic twill branding, and an interior graphic depicting the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, where the team trains.
Nike also included accessibility features. Interior bottom hem thumb loops and a magnetic zipper help Paralympic athletes put on and close the jacket more easily.
Athletes tested the jacket for over 380 hours across Colorado’s varied terrain and weather conditions. They ran, hiked, biked, skied, and snowboarded while wearing it. This testing ensured the jacket would perform well during different activities and in different conditions.
“Designed for tunable warmth, this jacket blends innovation with a sculptural form that feels alive, redefining the sensory experience of outerwear,” said Drea Staub, director of innovation apparel product design.
The Milano jacket is one of three major technical advances Nike is unveiling this month. The brand is also introducing innovations related to mind science, advanced cooling, and powered footwear. Together, these releases demonstrate Nike’s continued investment in athlete-focused development.
The jacket’s ability to quickly inflate or deflate changes what athletes can expect from outerwear. Athletes no longer need to carry extra layers or compromise between staying warm at rest and avoiding overheating during activity. The garment adapts to your needs.
This application of Air technology suggests future possibilities for athletic apparel. If air chambers can regulate warmth, what other functions might they serve? Nike appears ready to explore this question.
For now, the Therma-FIT Air Milano Jacket demonstrates how technology developed for sneakers can solve problems in different product categories. Air technology began beneath athletes’ feet. Now, it surrounds their bodies and responds to their needs in real time.
