Nike’s new handsfree sneakers are making their viral run.
The shoe brand unveiled the new design on Monday, dubbed it Nike GO FlyEase and received high praise online for its accessibility, regardless of the user’s physical abilities.
The intuitive design allows the user to easily slide in and out of the shoe without bending over. As the foot slides in and presses on the heel, the shoe attaches with its “bistable hinge and midsole tensioner” (patent pending) – like an elastic around the shoe that expands to the foot – according to Nike News .
The ease of use would be attractive to anyone, but it is those with a limited range of physical skills who will benefit most from the new shoe.
“’Design is so lazy’ for YOU, but my disabled 19-year-old sister who can’t put on shoes without help would LOVE these bad boys,” wrote @deathofshe, in a promotion that received more than 725 thousand likes on Twitter.
In fact, tennis was designed by Matthew Walzer in 2012, then 16 years old. Walzer, who has cerebral palsy and can’t dress the way most people do, wrote to Nike with an appeal.
“Of all the challenges I have overcome in life, there is one that I am still trying to master, tying my shoes,” he said in that 2012 letter, according to the Good News Movement, whose video collage on social media has been seen 1.1 million times.
“Cerebral palsy stiffens the muscles in the body,” explained Walzer. “As a result, I have flexibility in just one hand, which makes it impossible to tie my shoes. My dream is to go to the college of my choice without having to worry about someone who comes to tie my shoes every day. “
Nike then invited Walzer to consult a project that met his request and worked alongside tennis guru Tobie Hatfield, the legendary designer who created many striking Nike models, including Presto and FlyKnit.
Paralympic champion fencer Bebe Vio will lead the commercial campaign for adaptable footwear.
“I usually spend a lot of time to get in my place. With Nike GO FlyEase, I just need to put my feet on the ground and jump on it, ”said Vio in a Nike press release.
At a price of $ 120, the shoe officially falls on February 15 for Nike members before a broad launch.