Nike The Nature of Motion Experiments

For The Nature of Motion, Nike's exhibition at Milano Design Week 2016, the brand's designers, starting from the Flyknit uppers, have created a collection of futuristic sneakers called Experiments in Natural Motion, showcasing inventions which rethink the use of various materials and take inspiration from different elements of everyday use. Here they are:

#1 This type of convex outer sole is designed to push forward the athlete in the instant in which its foot rests on the ground.

#2 Taking inspiration from the typical 80’s voluminous hair, transforming a series of Velcro hair rollers in a vibrant and shock absorbing sole.

#3 With the aim of accelerating the pace of an athlete, this experiment uses pistons to pad the impact of the foot.

#4 Inspired by an indication of Nike’s first employee, Jeff Johnson, this experiment attempts to recreate the feeling of running on pine needles - both natural and synthetic.

#5 This experiment rethinks impact protection through plastic bags with kinetic sand inside, imitating the cohesive properties of the wet sand.

#6 Here are reused the spirals hair rollers to build the sole, testifying the ability to create individually custom-adjusting cushioning.

#7 Through the foam-toe separators typically used for pedicures, it constructs a segmented cushioning system that compresses and expands on impact.

#8 With the aim of transforming everyday objects into energy systems, this bold experiment shows the ability to walk on inflatable balls.

#9 This experiment takes inspiration from an architectural space, transforming the traditional rigid structure in a printed 3D super flexible sole.

#10 Through the use of small concave bags under the foot, this design sees the creation of a dynamic cushioning system.

#11 This experiment converts the classic kitchen brushes into a tool that can show the directional cushioning.

#12 The brash and two-tone design shows a rag under your feet, which allows to form a flaming cushioning system.

#13 This experiment replaces a line of inflatable balls with some sphere in a strategic position, so as to increase compression while the 3D molded sole enhances stability.

#14 Drawing inspiration from the reflexology paths of Taiwan gardens - which would help to improve the health and well-being - this design incorporates stones collected at the headquarters of Nike in Oregon.

#15 A liquid is place under the foot to create a fluid damping system. This design infuses vibrant color water in TPU airbags through syringes.

#16 Through the use of the champagne packaging, this cushioning system is based on an internal chemical catalyst that, when shaken, produce foam.

#17 The first design which combines Air technology to the fiber system of Zoom Air, with Brio cables.

#18 Inspired by a floating magnet table, this experiment uses modulate magnets mobility, fixed multicolor cables.

#19 This experiment sees a midsole in blue cooling gel placed over a memory foam pillow-shaped sole. Together, the levels slow the compression to maximize the cushioning and make it malleable.

#20 A vibrating tool system evolves the concept of helping athletes recover energy as they run.

#21 This spinous design uses a 3D printer to incorporate the synthetic mustache that, in the upper, serve as sensors, while places below the foot encourage the athlete running on the toes.

#22 Inspired by the idea of ​​unlimited cushioning, this amorphous design features PU foam dipped multiple layers, which prevent collisions.

#23 The future version of the Nike Air Zoom: this experiment got a great visual impact.

#24 This spring cushioning system preloaded stops compression perception.

#25 It expresses as the movement led by a myriad of microorganisms can create an explosive molecular structure.

#26 This design has two different sizes of PU foam balls underfoot. While each independently compresses to counter the impact, the group reacts together to form a cushioning system that amplifies the energy return.