Press Release: NIKE FREE 2014 RUNNING COLLECTION REVOLUTIONIZES NATURAL MOTION FLEXIBILITY

Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit, Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit and Nike Free 5.0 feature biggest natural motion advancements in Nike Free since its 2004 launch.

Malaysia, 18 March 2013 – The 2014 Nike Free running collection makes a performance statement echoing those famous words from coach and Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman. Bowerman’s belief was that design should focus on the athlete’s body and movement. His convictions inspired a design philosophy around the concept of natural motion and sparked the idea for the paradigm-shattering Nike Free introduced in 2004.

Ten years later, advancements in technology and product engineering continue to push the boundaries of footwear design even further in the all-new Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit, Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit, and Nike Free 5.0.

 “After 10 years of continual innovation, we've truly revolutionized the way these shoes work,” said Rob Dolan, Senior Footwear Design Director, Nike Running. “By utilizing new technologies and the principles of natural motion, we’re really able to allow the foot to move for the runner in a way we’ve never been able to do before.”

A key breakthrough came from Nike’s sport research lab data, athlete insights and studying the foot in motion. While runners move forward linearly, their feet don’t move in a perfectly straight line – they tend to roll slightly when striking the ground. The design team knew multi-directional flexibility was key to delivering natural motion in a shoe. To achieve this, the 2014 collection features three of the most significant developments in Nike Free since its 2004 launch.

HEXAGONAL FLEX GROOVES 

Data gathered at Nike’s sport research lab and insights from athletes helped inform Nike’s first-ever outsole with a hexagonal flex-groove pattern, delivering multi-directional flexibility and helping enable the runner’s foot to move more freely in all directions.

ANATOMICAL SHAPE 

A more anatomically-shaped heel is designed to roll as the athlete’s foot hits the ground. This body-led approach to designing footwear focuses on mimicking the shape of the foot and aims to allow the foot and body to move more naturally.

NIKE FLYKNIT TECHNOLOGY

An ultra-light Flyknit upper provides a supportive, contoured fit in the Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit and Free 4.0 Flyknit. Securing the foot over the low profile sole, the upper complements the flexibility of the Nike Free platform, allowing the foot to move more freely in all directions.

Nike Flyknit technology enables designers to micro-engineer areas of stretch, support and breathability, and to seamlessly integrate Nike Flywire support where needed. 

The collection allows runners to choose the desired level of flexibility and close-to-the-ground ride. The Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit offers the most flexibility and a four-millimeter heel-to-forefoot offset, the Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit provides flexibility with more cushioning at a six-millimeter offset, and with an eight-millimeter offset the Nike Free 5.0 is a happy medium between natural flexibility and a traditional running shoe.

The Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit, Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit and Nike Free 5.0 will be available on Nike.com and in stores beginning April 3.   

Nike Unveils New Running Technologies

NIKE UNVEILS NEW RUNNING TECHNOLOGIES AND "NATURE AMPLIFIED" DESIGN ETHOS

Four new innovations are designed to enhance the running experience.

NIKE, Inc., the world’s leading running brand, today unveiled four new innovations at an event at the company’s global headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. The new products are designed to enhance runners’ natural abilities and were guided by Nike’s "Nature Amplified" design ethos, an approach that is focused on designing for the body in motion and fueled by scientific data and athlete insights. Two new running shoes were introduced  — the Nike Free Flyknit and Nike Free Hyperfeel — along with two new apparel technologies, Aeroloft and Dri-FIT Knit.

“Innovation is not about creating for its own sake, it's about creating something better, designing with a purpose. Running is the heart and soul of Nike and it’s the birthplace of a constant stream of new innovations that will drive the company forward,” said Mark Parker, President & CEO of NIKE, Inc.

Aries-Merritt-and-Trevor-Edwards

“Nature Amplified means designing for bodies in motion and creating incredible new products that work intuitively with the human body,” said Trevor Edwards, NIKE Brand President. “The footwear and apparel we’ve unveiled today is based on insights from athletes and runners at every level, combined with extensive research in our Sport Research Lab. These innovations are data-driven, but body-led."

Nike-Aeroloft-800-Vest-and-Dri-FIT

FOOTWEAR INNOVATIONS

The Nike Free Flyknit is the fusion of two of Nike’s most iconic footwear technologies — the compressive Nike Flyknit upper and the flexible Nike Free outsole. The Nike Free Flyknit upper features zoned performance mapping and a second-skin fit. The shoe provides the benefits of natural motion and a snug, supportive fit in a single shoe.

Designed to feel like an extension of the body by minimizing layers between the foot and the ground, the Nike Free Hyperfeel delivers a natural motion sensation for the runner. A drop-in insole made from Lunarlon foam allows the foot to have direct contact with Lunarlon cushioning. The ultra-thin waffle outsole uses strategically placed waffle pistons for grip and feel, allowing the foot to get closer to the ground.

APPAREL TECHNOLOGIES

Nike Aeroloft technology also debuted in the ultra-light Nike Aeroloft 800 Vest, designed to keep runners warm and comfortable in cooler conditions. Insulating down has been combined with precision ventilation that allows heat to escape the body so athletes stay dry.

Dri-FIT Knit is an ultra-soft, lightweight fabric engineered to help athletes maintain optimal performance temperature in a variety of conditions. The technology employs visibly different knit patterns to aid breathability, while seamless construction ensures a smooth fit free of distraction.

Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ Tryout

Nike reintroduced their Flyknits Lunar1+ when they invited us to a formal tryout recently. These shoes were launched earlier this year, but it was pretty interesting to take a closer look into the design philosophy of the shoes from a different perspectives.



It was interesting to learn that the knitting in the Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ is made from feather-light, high-quality polyester yarn.(you can see the actual yarn used in the picture).

But the real interesting fact is the concept behind innovating the Flyknit series. Nike explains the why and the how of making a one piece upper with tightly woven yarn that will result in an upper that will deliver comfort, fit and light.  In fact the uppers are constructed entirely of tightly woven polyester yarn that varies in density, so that  it provide great fit and support through more open in targeted areas that need greater flexibility or ventilation.  And at the same time, tighter in areas that demand support.

And because of that they are so incredibly light! They weight a flying weight of 8 oz for men size 10, and only 5.7 oz for women size 7.

As soon as we put them on, most of us agrees that the plush cushioning of Lunarlon provides good response in movement, with excellent bouncy cushioning.

And I learned from the Nike expert that for an even greater springy response, the firmer foam carrier has been eliminated under the heel to expose the softer lightweight foam.  And the structure in the forefoot is made such that it encourages more fore foot landing.

The Flyknit provides a real snug fit uppers.  The simple lace wraps around the arches of the feet through the dynamic Nike Flywire, adaptive support that tightens and relaxes to accommodate the natural motion of the foot. But I find these shoe lace a bit too slippery and perhaps I will improvise on this myself later.

The knitted uppers were comfortably kind to our feet when we put it on the first time, no problem with the fittings.  Then team Nike shared with us that there is even a cooler feature inside the Flyknit that can make the Flyknit to fit like a glove to your feet....

That is, by steaming the uppers of the shoes. No kidding. (time to take out my bamboo bun steamer?)

This is a cool feature in the Flyknit that you can sort of customize your own Flyknit to make it even more fitting by steaming it. We were shown how it is done and it really fits better after steaming the shoes, especially in the toe box area.

The Flyknit Lunar1+ is very much designed as a trainer and is really suitable for everyday running and training.

The Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ was voted "Editor's Choice" by Runner's World (February 2013)

Nike Flyknit Lunar1+

Second skin fit and ultra-soft Lunarlon combine in Nike Flyknit Lunar1+

Performance technology is engineered to give runners the perfect run - every stitch, every stride.

Runners lacing up in preparation for the spring race season won’t make sacrifices. They need a shoe that fits perfectly to take on the miles, has enough structure to feel supportive, offers cushioning for amazing comfort – and sports some style on top of it all. With this inspiration, the lightweight Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ brings the virtually seamless upper using Nike Flyknit technology together with the plush, responsive cushioning of Lunarlon.

Since its launch in February 2012, Nike Flyknit technology has redefined the development and creation of footwear with its ability to be engineered to provide a more precise fit for the specific needs of the foot.

Support and structure are knitted right into the Nike Flyknit upper, which helps reduce seams, weight and areas of friction and keeps the shoe lightweight. This spring the Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ provides support, flexibility and breathability with a more cushioned midsole – a great solution for everyday runners.

The Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ combines Nike Flyknit with plush, responsive Lunarlon. The resilient foam provides ultra-soft cushioning, and springy response and support.

The Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ has a neutral platform that benefits a wide array of runners looking for a responsive and well-cushioned shoe. Strategically placed durable rubber inserts in the outsole deliver maximum impact protection in key areas on the heel and forefoot.

The upper incorporates dynamic Nike Flywire, adaptive support that tightens and relaxes to accommodate the natural motion of the foot.

Nike Flyknit construction also eliminates the need for the multiple materials and material cuts used in the uppers of traditional sport footwear manufacturing. This revolutionary construction reduces waste by an average of 80 percent in the Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ when compared to typical Nike running footwear.

  

Nike Flyknit was created for performance in world-class marathon events, and many elite runners have crossed the finish line in the Nike Flyknit Racer, part of the first Nike Flyknit collection.

Here is a video where Rob Williams explains some of the technology used in the Flyknit One+ and some of the inspiration that went behind it.

The Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ expands the franchise to the everyday runner, offering a bright color palette to make sure runners look as great as they feel on the road.

The Nike Flyknit Lunar1+ will be available beginning in February and will retail for RM529 and will only be available at the following Nike stores:

· Nike Store, Mid Valley Mega Mall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
· Nike Store, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
· Nike Store, Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
· Nike Store, The Curve, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
· Nike Store, Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Malaysia