#HTE

A Closer Look at Nike’s Epic React Flyknit Runner

Yesterday, Nike announced the Epic React Flyknit Runner, the first running shoe that incorporates Nike React, a responsive foam that Nike chemists, designers and engineers developed back in 2017: 

The runner boasts a single-piece Flyknit upper with a more technical midsole in contrast. Nike React is much softer than EVA foam, so this runner’s midsole needed to be taller and extend past the midsole around the heel to compensate for its extra bounce—that way the shoes won’t bottom-out when in use. 

The outsole features a blue rubber at the heel and toe for extra traction and support for the two parts of your foot that strike the ground the most.

Rapid data-driven ideation was used to design the midsole. This allowed the part of the shoe to be just one piece with no adhesives necessary. The pattern in the foam varies throughout the shoe depending on which areas need more cushioning and which need to remain firm.

Since the upper sits on just one piece of React foam and that’s it, the midsole and outsole are basically merged together as one, except for the thin rubber additions. 

Just as cool as the shoes is the creative GIF from their marketing campaign:

If that doesn’t make you want to snag a pair when they release on February 22nd, I don’t know what will.