If you love sport, you'll be well aware of Nike. Nike is one of those American corporations that has become a household name. For millions of people around the world, “Nike” is just another word for smart trainers, and their sporting footwear has well and truly crossed the boundary between the playing field and everyday life.
This buyer's guide looks at the type of products available from Nike and will help you find the best possible deals for the Nike products you need.
Nike has come a long way since being founded as Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 by Oregon residents Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. After just seven years, the firm took on the mantle of Nike in 1971, styling itself as the heirs to the Greek goddess of victory. And they were right. By 1980, the company had captured half of the North American sports shoes market, but more was to come.
The 1980s were Nike's golden age. Under the slogan “Just Do It”, they forged partnerships with global sporting legends like Michael Jordan and launched some of their most successful lines including Air Max (in 1987).
Since then, the company has entered almost every conceivable athletic market, including golf, tennis, swimming, triathlons, marathon running and cricket. If people play it, Nike can provide the footwear and clothing required.
At the same time, Nike have pushed the boundaries of shoe production, inventing new materials that reduce weight, perfecting their Air soles and adding new ways to support the feet of wearers. That's why they remain the world's biggest sporting brand by revenues – and look likely to remain so into the distant future.
Nike is an all-round sporting goods giant, with a huge variety of products. Here's a quick summary of what they have to offer:
Footwear – The core of the company's range, Nike's footwear collection includes Air Max trainers, Jordans, Presto trainers, tennis shoes, football boots, boots, sandals, casual shoes, golf shoes and much more.
Men's clothing – Featuring t-shirts, polos, compression clothing, hoodies, shorts, vests, socks, sweatshirts, jackets, sports tights, swimming kit and specialist clothing for all kinds of sports.
Men's accessories – Includes bags, sunglasses, backpacks, fitness trackers, smart watches, gloves, helmets, hats, belts, footballs, swimming goggles, towels and baseball caps.
Women's clothing – Includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, socks, tights, yoga pants, sports bras, hoodies, compression clothing, capris, crops, jackets, vests, skirts, dresses, swimwear and much more.
Women's accessories – Includes everything from smart watches and bags to towels, sunglasses water bottles and foam rollers.
Clothing and accessories for boys and girls – Everything that Nike makes for adults just resized and delivered in attractive packages for younger sport lovers.
Although Nike offer a very wide range of products, everyone knows them best for their footwear. The company has become world famous thanks to its trainers and celebrity tie-ins. Here are just a few of the designs you'll encounter when you shop for cheap Nike trainers at hotukdeals:
Nike Air Max – Launched in 1987, the Air Max trainer collection is one of Nike's most famous creations. Designed by footwear legend Tinker Hatfield and still sporting his original shape, Air Max has been updated to incorporate the latest technology, making them more comfortable every time. The most recent version is the Air Max 360, which features the trademark Air Max bubbles on the in-sole. However, Nike fans might also want to seek out the limited edition 360 pack, which featured updated versions of the classic Nike Air Max 90, 95 and 97 varieties. It was released in 2006 but can still be found on some sales portals.
Nike Air Jordan – Probably the most famous tie-in in the history of footwear was signed in 1984, when Nike teamed up with basketball superstar Michael Jordan and the Nike Air Jordan was the result. Since then, the Jordan range blossomed, and now includes a vast array of classic and contemporary designs. Over the years, they have become collectors items as well as urban essentials and still balance the demands of basketball with everyday style.
Nike Air Presto – A lighter alternative to the much bulkier Air Max and Air Jordan trainers, the Nike Air Presto range is marketed as “t-shirt for your feet”, with plenty of ventilation, ultra lightweight materials and the same kind of soft, cushioned soles that you'd expect from Nike Air shoes. They are an ideal Nike for running fans.
Nike Huarache – Another classic designed initially by Tinker Hatfield, the Nike Huarache trainers debuted in 1991 and are still being updated. Designed to cling to your feet and provide a comfortable cradle for them to nestle in, these trainers are a great option for wandering around town and running alike, and they come with features like heel cages and neoprene sleeves to make users as comfortable as possible.
Nike Roshe – Nike's Roshe shoes are flat-soled, low-heeled trainers with a trademark mesh upper. This lends them a smart-casual appeal resembling deck shoes, but they are also ideal for light sports and running. Basically, with their stylish design and high-quality features, these shoes encapsulate the idea of “athleisure”, mixing fashion and sporting needs.
Nike SB – The shoes of Nike´s SB selection focus on the needs of skateboarders, offer good grip on the board and are made of durable materials. The brand collaborates with a range of well-known figureheads of the skateboarding scene such as Eric Koston, Stefan Janoski and Paul Rodriguez.
Hurley – A company in its own right, but now a fully-owned subsidiary of Nike, Hurley make some of the world's best flip-flops and sandals and targets the surfer market with their trunks and wetsuits as well.
These designs feature a range of different technologies that are unique to Nike products. So, when you check through the Nike listings at hotukdeals, expect to see the following terms in the descriptions:
FlyKnit – FlyKnit has become the standard material for constructing Nike's high-end trainers and boots. It features incredibly strong fibres, stretches in the right areas to accommodate the wearer's feet, uses heat-fused yarn to protect against water seepage and is super-light, which is a real help for runners.
VaporMax – The new cushioning unit that you'll find on the new generation of Air Max trainers, VaporMax features cushioned cleats for extra grip and makes running more comfortable than ever.
FlyWire cables – A supplement to standard laces, FlyWire cables provide extra support for the uppers in Nike shoes, not unlike the cables on a suspension bridge. They help to ensure that the structure of the shoes remains intact over the long term and provides valuable support for the wearer's feet.
Nike's football boots definitely deserve their own section. Over the years, the company has been associated with some huge stars, from Didier Drogba to Ronaldinho, and there's a vast array of options for anyone who wants to emulate their footballing heroes. Here are the main models you'll come across:
Hypervenom – As the name suggests, these boots focus on providing extra power behind your shots and passes. They come with elastic hi-top ankles, which help to protect against tackles, include FlyWire cables for extra stability and are made from light but strong FlyKnit uppers. And, with the fit collar in place, they feel more like socks than traditional boots. But they don't come cheap.
Superfly – Another premium Nike brand, Superfly boots feature an internal grip system which helps to keep your feet stable as you play and also comes with FlyKnit and FlyWire features and a fit collar to provide the sock like feel.
Tiempo – A more traditional model, Tiempo boots dispense with the dynamic collar. Their strengths lie in their soft upper, which helps with deft touches and passing, while the cleats on the underside are specially dispersed to provide a stable feel throughout the game.
Those are the core models in Nike's current football range. All of them come in standard studded models and indoor models which are appropriate for astroturf and wooden floors (and tend to be a little cheaper than outdoor designs). So which one should you go for?
Many footballers these days tend to focus on aesthetics. If the way your feet look is the most important thing to you, you'll find all of these models in multicoloured, garish designs that will definitely make you stand out on the pitch.
However, if you have any worries about your ankles or general fitness, spending a little more makes sense. Models with dynamic collars will provide useful extra support to go alongside ankle bandages and shin pads. They also offer a little bit more protection against poor challenges, so could be better for competitive play.
However, for most players going for more expensive Nike boots won't be necessary. If you just play a few times a month, low-end Nike boots are still well constructed and comfortable, and you can pick them up very cheaply at the hotukdeals Nike listings.
We've talked a little bit about how to choose the right Nike football boots, but what about other people?
Runners – If you are a runner, Nike's collection is second to none. However, there are options that suit marathon runners alongside shoes which are ideal for occasional joggers. However often you run, go for shoes with FlyKnit, mesh uppers and Lunar Foam soles. And go for shoes with Zoom Air foam in them as well – not the heavier types like Air Max or standard Air. Those types of shoe can weigh you down over long distances, which outweighs the benefits from their alleged bounciness. With those things in mind, have a look at models like the Nike LunarEpic, LunarGlide, Zoom Vomero and Air Zoom Pegasus – all of which blend strength, support and lightweight construction.
Gym goers – If you need a pair of Nikes for the gym, things will be slightly different. In your case, endurance and weather protection aren't as important, while sheer comfort, coolness and bounce are. If you know that you'll be using your Nikes solely for the gym, suitable models could include the Zoom Hypercross TR, 2015's version of the Air Max and the Lunar TR1 LE. All of them are responsive, cool to wear and look the part – which is important to many gym fans.
Tennis – Tennis shoes need to be hard-wearing but very, very light, allowing players to remain on their toes and ready to respond to their opponent's next shot. It also helps if they are white, although that doesn't seem to be as important as it used to be. Thankfully, Nike have created a collection of specialist tennis shoes which provide everything players need. For instance, the Nike Vapour Men's Tennis shoes are very light and stable, while their Court Lite shoes provide a little more support underneath, so may be handy for older players.
Golfers – Nike have had a long-standing relationship with legendary golfer Tiger Woods, and they continue to set the pace in golf shoe design. The black Course Classics are a staple of modern golf, with their classy design and colour scheme that harmonises well with almost anyone's golfing wardrobe. The Nike Air Zoon 90s are more dynamic and are a firm favourite of golfing star Rory McIlroy. All of them blend responsive soles with temperature control via FlyKnit weaves as well as exceptional grip. But, whichever model you go for, always ensure that they fit in with yout golf trousers and tops.
Everyone else – In general, there are some things to bear in mind when purchasing Nike Air Max and other casual shoes from the American giant. First off, check out all of the colours available to make sure you find a design that you are comfortable wearing. Now, work out your size. Measure your feet from heel to toe and compare what you come up with with the numbers on this chart. Finally, don't be tempted by deals which look too good to be true (unless you see them listed at hotukdeals). There are plenty of fake Nikes around. However, the good news is that you can easily tell a fake from the real thing. Every Nike shoe has what's known as a nine-digit “style number” which is found on the tongue. Compare this number to the number on your shoebox, and there shouldn't be any difference. Check for spelling mistakes on the tongue and packaging too. Any errors are a giveaway that something's not right.
If you want to add to your urban clothing collection, Nike is a go-to brand. Obviously, their trainers like Air Max and Nike Air Prestos are essentials, so feel free to flick through the colour schemes to find something eyecatching that matches your personality.
After that, check out Nike's famous tracksuit collection. Their gym hoodies and Therma training trousers are both superb gym attire and suitable for casual wear around town. And, even better, they are regularly discounted at their online shop at www.nike.com.
If that doesn't satisfy your fashion ambitions, Nike have the answer. Just head over to the NikeLab, where the label shows off its collaborations with contemporary designers.
If Nike's own shoe designs aren't to your taste, you can also customise your footwear with NIKEiD, adding whatever elements you like.
Now that you've decided on which Nike product to buy, the challenge becomes simple: saving as much money as possible. Here are some pro tips about how to do so.
Firstly, check the Nike website for sales. Although Nike trainers and football boots aren't the cheapest on the market, that doesn't mean they have to cost the earth. Nike.com has a clearance section which is always full of discounts, and is the first place to check for the product you want.
If that doesn't work, don't worry. There's are also several Nike Factory Stores located around the United Kingdom.
However, it's a big mistake to restrict your search only to Nike's website and Factory Stores. Instead, head to the Nike hotukdeals listings and type in the name of the product you'd like to buy. You'll be presented with a long list of offers from major UK retailers like FootLocker, Zalando, John Lewis and JD Sports. If you cast your net widely, you'll be sure to find more deals, so scroll down and consider everything.
There may also be Nike discount codes and coupons that you can use at Nike's bricks-and-mortar stores or nike.com, so check for them too.
Finally, save your money for the major sales periods. If you can hold out until Black Friday, the most recent Nike designs will be heavily discounted. The same applies to the January Sales. At the same time, summer wear will often be discounted as autumn turns into winter and vice versa – so look for off-season bargains too.
In any case, Nike discounts are always available, so never pay the face value of your favourite trainers. Shop smart instead and you can mix style and savings with ease.
Whether you run, play football, skate, play golf or just love to hit the gym, Nike can supply the footwear and clothing required. Constantly innovating and introducing new designs, Nike sets fashion trends and technical trends alike. Find great discounts on their latest designs by regularly checking the hotukdeals Nike listings.
