Nike is pushing the boundaries of shoe technology with today’s announcement of Go FlyEase, a $ 120 non-contact shoe for sports and everyday use.
The main innovation here is the so-called bistable hinge that allows the shoe to move between two positions: a vertical one where the inner sole of the shoe is at an angle of approximately 30 degrees so that you can easily slide the foot, and the retracted position in which the outer layer sits comfortably around the inner layer while you walk or run. It is effectively two shoes in one, with the inside of the shoe coming out as needed.
The concept comes from the standard movement that most people do when taking off sliding shoes like Crocs, flip flops or plain old shoes, which involves using one foot to pull the other’s heel, according to Fast Company. With the Go FlyEase “support heel,” this movement allows you to slip off your shoes while simultaneously sliding the hinge to support them. The whole process is hands-free, says Nike.
There is more than just the aesthetic and lazy appeal here as well. Nike designed them with accessibility in mind, which means they’re great options for people who would otherwise have trouble bending over to tie their shoes or to tie shoelaces. The FlyEase brand was born from Nike designer Tobie Hatfield, who spent years at Nike developing ever more ingenious shoes with accessibility first at the request of people with disabilities. This effort has occasionally produced some flashy, high-profile products, like the self-tied Back to the future-inspired shoes, Nike Mag, and more modern lace-up variants like HyperAdapt 1.0 and Adapt BB.
Fast Company, who tried Go FlyEase and says shoes are really comfortable, it also appropriately describes the shoes as “the ultimate COVID footwear”. Frankly, I’m already obsessed with picking up a pair – not just because they look pretty aesthetically, but also because they really look like the perfect pair of shoes for a leisure age, when going out means doing the bare minimum to leave my remote working bunker behind. an apartment for a chore or some fresh air.
Nike says the shoes will go on sale from February 15 “to selected Nike members”, although it is unclear how many units will be available in the first race. The company says that “wider availability for the consumer” is planned for the end of 2021.