Nike looks to the future with new footwear for children
02/07/2018
The company has said it has spent three years carrying out research and development to determine what is required in children-specific performance footwear. This has included work to understand the biomechanics of young athletes, which involved movement specialists working with children to learn more about their movements and preferences.
Among the things this research discovered was that the angle and movement of children during exercise is more extreme as they are lower to the ground. It also found that they are predominantly heel runners due to a lack of foot strength. The children told the researchers and designers that they prefer a lightweight shoe.
Nike’s designers then set about creating shoes that help young athletes to move and grow with these considerations in mind. They broadened the forefoot to offer more space for growth; they included lighter components to bring down the weight of the shoes; and they targeted a comfortable design that didn’t compromise on protection and support.
The running shoe, the Nike Future Speed (pictured), features a midsole that has a combination of a soft core and firmer outer area for a more responsive stride and better lateral stability. By removing the lace eyelets, the designers aimed to make the shoe easier to put on, take off and adjust. Flex grooves in the forefoot and a bevelled heel were also added to compliment a child’s natural stride.
For the Nike Future Flight, designed for basketball, Nike again employed a dual-density midsole, with the intention of bringing the wearer closer to the ground. This product also features a flexible collar, designed to allow the ankle to move through its full range of motion.
The first products in the Future Series were made available on July 1 on Nike’s website. It has said it will continue to develop products specifically for the needs of young athletes.
Image credit: Nike.
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