Nike Launches Next Generation of Flyknit for Footwear

Nike Flyknit, which debuted at the 2012 London games with the Nike Flyknit Racer, is a digitally engineered knitting process best known for its role in lightweight, formfitting and virtually seamless shoe uppers. The traditional way to construct Nike Flyknit for a shoe is by knitting a flat upper, which is then attached to a midsole to create the shape of the shoe.

Now, a major advancement in Nike Flyknit technology allows for a shoe upper to be constructed in a complete 360-degree form that wraps the entire foot, helping athletes feel more secure and controlled during their movements.

To make the upper, engineers use complex knitting structures to create a closed anatomical form that mimics the shape of the foot. Then the upper goes through a thermoforming process to provide shape and support underfoot. The result is a lighter, breathable shoe that offers a more precise, second-skin feel.

These are the benefits of the new technology:

Closer fit: Because it completely wraps the foot, the construction offers a closer fit that locks in the foot to reduce in-shoe movement. 

Agility and quickness: The 360-degree form is engineered for better movement and speed by allowing the shoe to move with the athlete by minimizing the space between the foot and the ground.

Sustainability: Nike Flyknit is precision engineered down to every stitch, which produces 60 percent less waste than traditional cut-and-sew methods. The technology applies 40 years of athlete insights to inform the precise placement of support, flexibility and breathability where athletes need it most while minimizing the impact on the environment.