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Unveiled Today: The Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit

Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit 1

Nike has unveiled a ton of heavy hitters today including the Nike Air Zoom KD9, Nike Air VaporMax, and Nike Hyperdunk 2016. They also showcased the latest in Nike Free tech: the Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit. Here’s the presser from Nike:

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The concept of Nike Free was born in 2001, when insights from a legendary coach inspired designers to create footwear that mimicked the feel of barefoot training but incorporated important protection and support. The first expression of this study released in 2004 via a shoe with a siped outsole, comprised of deeply cut grooves that allowed the sole to flex freely and translate a barefoot-like feel to all surfaces. 12 years later, the Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit takes that original technology even further.

Drawing upon new studies that reveal how the foot expands and contracts upon impact with and liftoff from the ground, Nike designers developed an auxetic, or splaying, midsole. Spreading across two planes, the geometric tri-star form mimics how the body and foot react to force and accounts for the massive changes in foot size — approximately one size in length and two sizes in width — that occur throughout a runner’s stride.

Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit 7

To form the new tooling, the designers employed a new dual-injection technology. Using heat, instead of glue, they fused two foams into one piece that still features an IU foam carrier and soft IP core but introduces more cushioning than past Nike Free models.

As a result of the increased mobility, designers were forced to rethink the shoe’s stroble, the midsole-upper connector, which in its traditional form would impede the sole’s dynamism. So they took advantage of the pliable Flyknit upper, stretching it underfoot to create a holistic unit that works in harmony with the dynamic tooling and allows the Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit to deliver our most natural ride yet.

To become a Nike+ member and sign up for notifications about the Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit, go to Nike.com.Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit 11

Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit 12

Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit 10

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Nike Free RN Motion Flyknit 1

Source: Nike

10 comments
  1. It is amazing to watch the innovation and growth of the Nike Free series through the years. At first it was a slab of foam, with vertical and horizontal lines. I thought the hexagonal siping on the foam was already very cool, but this takes it to the next level. I do a little barefoot running, so I cannot wait to try these out. You’re feet do splay a lot, especially toes/forefoot area, so these will not only have free range from transition, but also spreading outwards. I wonder if it will have 3.0-5.0 series like before, or if this is their flagship Free model.

  2. The red pair looks hot! Imagine how fast they would sell if they had the Grinch colorway on these pairs..

    1. The Y shaped pattern on the bottom outsole is definitely just like the Jordan pattern but I don’t think there the same other than than, but yeah it does remind me of that too! I like the new line of nikes running shoes but they still stand behind 20 year old technology for their cushioning mostly with air max and zoom. Not that those arnt good but as a leader in footwear innovation I thought Nike would’ve came up with their own “boost” type new age foam by now, anyone else feel this way???

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