More than a decade. That’s how long Nike Free footwear has been around. And now, five brand new members are joining the family.
Coming from the same gene pool, they share a feature trait. Each shoe incorporates a progressive, geometric auxetic midsole, made to aid athletes’ natural running or training motion.
Designers gleaned from new studies exploring how the foot expands and contracts upon impact with, and lift-off from, the ground. The result is a splaying, auxetic midsole which mimics how the body and foot react to force. It simultaneously absorbs shock and allows for dual-plane expansion in foot size – about 1:2 in length to width size – during an athlete’s foot strike.
Whether the athlete is moving linearly while running or in multiple directions during training, the multi-directional outsole’s flexibility closely mirrors the foot’s changing shape. This puts the foot, rather than the shoe, in control.
Using Nike Free footwear in my training is all about strengthening my feet. I really like having that natural movement in my shoes. Everyone’s feet are different, so it’s great to have a shoe that really moves with you.
—Allyson Felix, three-time gold medal sprinter
Running: Linear Motion
Every runner has a one-of-a-kind stride, defined by his or her respective gate and physique. Three of the new Nike Free shoes address different runners’ needs.
Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit
Providing the most dynamic movement, this shoe is for agile runners. The new auxetic midsole is paired with a fully adaptive, single-piece Nike Flyknit upper in a 3D ribbing design starting from forefoot to heel.
Nike Free RN Flyknit
For runners who like the feeling of shoes moulded to their feet. With a zonally engineered, lightweight upper, the RN Flyknit’s classic silhouette provides a sock-like fit. The same expansive, auxetic midsole comes with a brand-new, softer IU form for added comfort.
Nike Free RN
Like its sibling RN Flyknit, the RN comes with the latest, softer IU form for extra underfoot comfort. Its engineered mesh upper offers flexible support for a shoe that is both lightweight and dynamic.
Training: Multi-directional Motion
The ways an athlete trains are as varied as the reasons why. We run. Some jump. Others lift. Each work out requires varying degrees of support and flexibility. Likewise, these low-profile training shoes cater to men’s and women’s different needs too.
Women’s Nike Free Transform Flyknit
Flywire locks down the foot during lateral cuts while an integrated heel counter stabilises it when one moves in all directions. Combine a Flyknit upper and firm outsole to enhance support, together with a two-piece interior to cushion repetitive high-impact moves. The result is a shoe that delivers support in the toughest workouts.
Men’s Nike Free Train Force Flyknit
Like its sister Free Transform Flyknit, this shoe features Flywire and an integrated heel counter for stabilisation when the athlete does hard cuts. Its 5/8-height Flyknit upper promotes support. Meanwhile, dual-density technology means there’s cushioning for repetitive high-impact moves and a firm outsole for stiffer support during rigorous lifts.
Where to Buy
The Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit is available from 5 May 2016.
Launched on 7 April, the Nike Free RN Flyknit and Nike Free RN are now available in Singapore in men’s, women’s and young athlete sizing.
The women’s Nike Free Transform Flyknit and men’s Nike Free Train Force Flyknit are also recently launched and are now available.
The Free RN Flyknit is retailing at S$215 and it will be available at: Nike Stores, iRun doors, SEEK @ ION.
