Nike is introducing a new sole
utilizing state-of-the art design methods and technologies to create a
lightweight, durable composite sole that can easily be used with Össur's
Flex-Run prosthetic blade for amputee athletes.
Not all competitive athletes have the
privilege of competing without obstacles, so Nike has designed the new Nike
Sole in conjunction with amputee triathlete and World Record Holder Sarah
Reinertsen and Össur, a leader in the orthopedics industry known for their
advanced prosthetic innovations.
"The Sarah Sole project is a
special one for Nike," said Tobie Hatfield, Nike Innovation Director.
"The Nike Sole is a shining example of our passion and commitment to serve
athletes and provide them the solutions they need to achieve their goals -
we're always listening to the voice of every athlete."
The Nike Sole features an integrated
layered sole including an outsole, midsole and thermal plastic urethane called
Aeroply, made of recycled Nike Air Bag units, serving as moderator between Nike
Sole and the Össur Flex-Run's carbon fiber blade. Nine nylon plastic tabs serve
as fingers that wrap snugly around the Flex-Run carbon fiber blade for secure
lock down and easy on-off. A stretch rubber leash with tactile grip tab for
easy placement over medallion fastener provides additional security.
"The Össur Flex-Run enables
amputees of all abilities to achieve their athletic goals," said Jon Sigurdsson,
Össur's president and CEO. "This exciting collaboration has leveraged
Össur's unmatched research and development in running prosthetics with Nike's
first-class technologies, resulting in a product unlike any other."
The first Nike prototype sole used by
Reinertsen was made from a Nike Free 5.0 Trail outsole, which was adhered to a
plastic-based sleeve that would slide onto the blade. Tobie Hatfield, Nike's
Innovation Director, worked closely with Reinertsen to tweak the next round of
prototypes based on her feedback wear testing the sole unit.
Reinertsen, who faced the constant
challenge of an unstable and unpredictable footwear solution, was born with
proximal femoral focal deficiency. She had a bone-growth disorder which
eventually led to her becoming an above-the-knee amputee at seven years
old. Following the amputation she began to run track and broke the
100-meter world record for female above-the-knee amputees at the age of
13.
Like most competitive amputee
athletes, Reinertsen competes today in marathons and triathlons using an Össur
Flex-Run prosthetic carbon fiber blade and Nike Sole. In 2006, she began
working with Hatfield and the Nike Innovation Kitchen on a solution for her
prosthetic outsole needs.
Previously, Reinertsen would use the
outsole of a traditional running shoe as her prosthetic "shoe." With
limited innovations with prosthetic soles, this cobbling approach to creating
solutions using regular running footwear had become the norm. The new
Flex-Run with Nike Sole provides a reliable advantage and is now available
through prosthetists' offices globally.
Reinertsen's career success includes
seven marathons (NYC 1997, 1998; LA 1998, 1999; Millennium New Zealand 2000;
London 2002; and Boston 2004) and she was the first female above the knee
amputee to complete the Ironman(R) World Championship in Hawaii in 2005.
She's hungry for more success.
