The American athletic wear company Nike has launched a new hinged sneaker model, created in an innovative way so that wearers can step into it without using their hands.
The Nike Go FlyEase shoe, revealed recently, is part of the company’s FlyEase line. The line lets wearers use one or no hands to put on a pair of shoes, whether that person has special needs, has their hands full or is simply in a hurry.
The casual shoe arrives at a time when people are touching fewer things during the pandemic and brands that sell comfier footwears that take minimal effort to take on and off, such as Crocs, gained high popularity.
The Go Flyease has unique features, including a tension band that secures the shoe in place of laces.
A video posted by the company shows how a hinge built into the lace less shoe allows it to bend into an open position so the wearer can step in. The wearer then puts down their heel to close the shoe securely. To remove the shoe, the wearer presses on the heel with their opposite foot.
Enthusiasts note that wearers won’t feel the hinge, which is hidden under the shoe’s footbed, and that a tensioner band holds the hinge in place while the shoe’s being worn.
The shoes go on sale February 15 for $120 for subscribers of the free membership program on Nike’s website. Broader availability is planned for later this year.
Launching the new shoes on its website first also fits into Nike’s strategy of selling directly to consumers rather through third-party retailers. In December 2020, the company reported that its online sales soared 84 percent in its most recent quarter as demand for fitness and casual shoes increased drastically.
