Over the years, Nike and their design team have created sneakers that are both beautiful and functional. In fact, some would argue that they stand above all of their competitors in a crowded shoe industry.
Nike has teamed with so many great basketball players over the years. Who remembers waiting for the next edition of Air Jordan’s to be released? Who still waits for the next release of his iconic signature basketball shoe? Did you raise your hand? It’s OK. Maybe you were a fan of Scottie Pippen and his “Uptempo” kicks. Or how about those “Shox” that Vince Carter used to wear? And let’s not forget LeBron James and his long-standing affiliation with the company.
Recently, James and the designers at Nike teamed up to create a revolutionary shoe: the all-new LeBron Soldier 10 FlyEase. Nike’s FlyEase line of footwear is designed specifically for those who might struggle with tying their shoes. Instead of traditional laces, the new shoe has an easy-to-use zipper that generously opens from mid-foot, all the way around the heel, allowing easy foot entry.
Notey.com
Nike.com
Tobie Hatfield, Nike’s Senior Director of Athlete Innovation, recently spoke about the importance of accessibility in the new Soldier 10 FlyEase.
“One of the key learnings we’ve had in crafting accessible footwear is the importance of easy entry and exit of the shoe, not just simplifying its fastening system,” Hatfield said. “Eliminating the intricate hand movement of lace tying is important, but if the athlete cannot get their foot into the shoe, lacing becomes a moot point.”
“It looks just like the traditional Soldier 10,” Hatfield said of the new shoe, “but with a far more generous opening for the foot. Of all the shoes we’ve ever made, this may be the easiest one to get into.”
Yesterday, at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice facility, James handed out boxes of the new Soldier 10 FlyEase to patients from Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation.
“It’s about us empowering every kid and everybody to understand that we are all athletes,” James said in a recent Nike video. “Myself and Nike to be able to collaborate on a project like this… It’s been special since the very first time it was brought to the table.”
“Sport, in general, should never be taken away from any kid; it creates fun, it creates laughter, it creates competitiveness, it creates brotherhood or sisterhood,” James continued. “To be able to have access to a shoe that’s very easy to get on and take off. FlyEase gives kids another opportunity to live out their dream.”
https://youtu.be/J1XfMTjv2js
The LeBron Soldier 10 was released to the public on March 20th, and is currently available on Nike.com in black, blue, and white colorways for $140. According to Nike, a platinum-themed rendition will be available in adult size soon.
