Gallery: Nike’s Virtually Seamle...

KNIT WIT

A concept four years in the making, the Flyknit required teams of programmers, engineers, and designers to develop the specialized upper, which was inspired by runners who wanted a shoe that hugged the contours of the foot like a second skin. A pliable material like yarn has no structure or durability, however, which means the same qualities that make a sock so desirable are impractical for a running upper.

The shoe was inspired by runners who wanted a shoe that hugged the contours of the foot like a second skin.

Nike couldn’t just stitch a tube sock to a sole; it had to map out a precise framework of knit and cabled structures to provide the necessary support, flexibility, and breathability in a single layer. Because the one-piece upper doesn’t use multiple materials and cuts that traditional footwear demands, the Flyknit also has the additional benefit of reducing waste. “Nike Flyknit is truly a minimalist design with maximum return,” a spokesperson says.

Mark Parker, Nike’s president and CEO, says the shoe will revolutionize the running world. And well, we’re inclined to believe him.

+ Flyknit

+ Nike

[Via Fast Company]