Nike Inc. announced a new multi-training sport shoe with a unique twist Wednesday (March 6): the Nike Free Trainer 5.0. The performance footwear offers lightweight comfort and support and is based on the concept of the Chinese finger trap.
We all know the Chinese finger trap; it's one of the most popular toys and often used as a practical joke to trap a person's fingers. When two fingers are placed in each end of the cylindrical, braided puzzle, the fingers cannot be pulled out. The braid pattern of the trap is flexible when loose but locks down and tightens around a person's fingers when they pull away.
Nike Footwear designers Laura Parrett and Jeff Rasmussen felt that training footwear should perform in the same way and fashioned the Nike Free Trainer 5.0 after the Chinese finger trap. "One of the unique inspirations we used in the beginning when we were designing the shoe was the Chinese finger traps," said Parrett in a Nike promo video. Just like in the toy, the shoe's upper is made of soft and pliable braided bands. When the foot is motionless, the bands are flexible and with applied pressure, the bands tighten around the foot.
When cutting and changing directions or making hard lateral steps, the shoe locks down on the foot. The sole of the shoe enhances the foot's ability to move naturally, offering a great performance benefit.
"When we were designing the Nike Free Trainer 5.0 we really wanted to take a crafted approach as well as a performance approach, we really wanted to marry the two together," said Rasmussen.
Nike is well known for creating the most advanced designs and technology when creating performance footwear. When designing a shoe, biomechanics, physiology and sensory and perception research are all taken into consideration. Biomechanics is how the body moves and physiology refers to how the body works under stress. Sensory and perception studies evaluate the functionality and look and feel of the footwear. Rigorous tests are performed on various surfaces like basketball hardwood, soccer turfs, running tracks and outdoor terrain.
Research also consists of demographics. Geography, gender, age and skill level are all taken into account for the design and creation of Nike's high-performance footwear. Nike says its unique design approach to the Nike Free Trainer 5.0 is a testament to the company's commitment to performance and functionality. The Free Trainer 5.0 offers dynamic fit technology, natural motion design and multi-surface traction and will be available worldwide on March 28.
