Nike, the leading sportswear specialist, has developed a new LunarEpic Flyknit model, featuring an innovative mid-height collar design and a new tooling system, which is said to offer a great fit, fluid feel and superior softness.

The work on the new LunarEpic Flyknit design began over 18 months ago with the examination of a global football boot. Taking insight from Nike’s Magista, which allows the foot, ankle and lower leg to work together as a single unit to emphasize natural movement and a feeling of fluidity, the company’s running designers aimed to create a shoe that imparted this same concept, while still serving runner’s key needs, which are: fit, feel and force.

The LunarEpic Flyknit has become available on 3 March at Nike.com and retail locations. An exclusive colourway of the LunarEpic Flyknit will be available at NikeLab retail locations.

Lightweight and breathable

The company’s designer team began by constructing a lightweight, breathable one-piece Nike Flyknit upper, engineering different densities directly into the knit for precise support: a snug fit at the arch, heel and forefoot.

At the same time, the aforementioned mid-height collar was added to facilitate lockdown, both physically and sensorially, and Nike Flywire cables were knitted in for additional strength and a close, dynamic fit, the company reports.

Moving to the midsole, the designers employed a new dual-injection technology. Using heat, instead of glue, they fused two foams into one piece that still features traditional Lunarlon construction, with an IU foam carrier and soft IP core. Laser siping on the side of the midsole is said to facilitate cushioning and targeted flexibility.

Rubber-free outsole

As a next step, a rubber-free outsole with laser-siped geometric pistons inspired by pressure maps of the foot was added. Constructed of Lunarlon foam, each piston moves individually, enabling pointed compression that results in an exceptional ride, the manufacturer reports. Maximizing both cushioning and traction, it is said to provide smooth heel-to-toe transitions and propelling energy return.

“When combined, these few potent components form an unprecedented shoe with a virtually vanishing fit that adapts to the body in motion for a fluid feel and superior softness,” says the company. “Incredibly versatile, it is ideal for runners tackling a distance workout, progression run or recovery run.”

www.nike.com