According to Nike, the new Free Trainer 1.0 is like "chalk for your feet."
Designed to mold to the athlete's foot in a way that makes it feel like it isn't even there, the Nike Free Trainer 1.0 is intended for training in sports like weightlifting, gymnastics or martial arts. It's a protective training option for athletic activities where bare feet are often preferable.
Because of their smaller than one millimeter offset, they engage the same muscles that the athlete would be using if they weren't wearing shoes. At the same time, their textured rubber outsole wraps all the way around the edges of the foot and up the side of the shoe, gripping securely to the floor. This is the inspiration for the Nike Free Trainer 1.0's slogan, "chalk for your feet."
What's Driving This Trend
- Moldable Footwear
- Opportunity for companies to develop shoes that mold to the athlete's foot for a more comfortable and natural movement.
- Barefoot Training Gear
- Disruptive innovation potential in creating protective training options for athletic activities where bare feet are preferred.
- Textured Rubber Outsoles
- Opportunity to create shoes with textured rubber outsoles that provide better grip and traction on various surfaces.
Who This Affects Most
- Athletic Footwear
- Potential for athletic footwear brands to develop innovative training shoes for different sports and activities.
- Sports Training Equipment
- Opportunity to create specialized training gear for athletes that enhance performance and provide protection.
- Sporting Goods Retail
- Disruptive innovation potential for retail companies to offer cutting-edge athletic gear that enhances performance and incorporates unique features.
