Nike’s latest sports shoes may seem a bit unorthodox, but the hands-free design can be a game changer, both for those in a hurry to get out the door and for athletes with disabilities for whom a conventional lacing, zipper system or clasps is problematic.
The Nike GO FlyEase will be available first in “limited quantities” to Nike members by invitation from February 15th, and then to everyone else later in the year. Whenever you can buy a pair, it will cost you $ 120.
“If you design for the most extreme needs, you are unlocking benefits for everyone,” explained Paralympic athlete Sarah Reinertsen, who was involved in the FlyEase project. “If a shoe works for someone who has no hands, it will work for someone who has two hands.”
The method for removing the shoe may seem somewhat familiar to those of us who do not treat our normal shoes with the utmost respect – by pushing the heel of a shoe with the toe of the other foot. With everyday shoes, that would be bad for the materials, both stretching the sole and breaking the back over time.
The FlyEase, however, was specifically designed for this treatment, thanks to its flexible sole that folds in the middle when not in use, but fits instantly when a foot is inserted, thanks to the tension band around the outside . You can see an initial prototype with a torn shoe and a surgical tube in the video below.
We expect demand to be high for the first batch only for guests, partly because the $ 120 price tag is competitive with mid-range running shoes. If the Nike GO FlyEase offers an equally pleasurable experience once installed, the company may have difficulty keeping these shoes in stock after the exclusive access period ends.