From Free to Flywire, Nike produces a variety of innovative technology. See the links below to learn more about Nike technology.Earlier this month Nike released the new LunarEpic Flyknit running shoe. Upon first glance, my initial reaction was “What in the world is this? Can’t possibly be a running shoe.” I literally have never seen anything like it. The shoe was cool, oddly stylish and had so many innovative features that I was obsessed, and had to learn more. While the appearance of the LunarEpic looks similar to a high-top soccer shoe, all of the details ranging from the flyknit upper material to the lunarlon foam sole are just small examples of how new and improved technologies to make the best running kicks. But, the Nike LunarEpic is just one of the many new running shoes changing the game. Adidas, Puma, and New Balance (to just name a few) are all giving the Swoosh great competition in the high tech running shoe category. To be honest, Adidas was a little late entering the high tech running shoe game  (considering they have been a major innovator in soccer shoes, as well as a major company supplier for soccer gear).

But, in the past few years Adidas has definitely made a name for itself in the running world, especially with the introduction of the Boost Technology. In 2013 Adidas introduced the Boost technology, which is a midsole made of small pebbles of thermoplastic polyurethane. Adidas says the Boost technology is provides energy return through the midsole’s springy response, and to also give a well cushioned ride. Debuting back in the 2012 Beijing Olympics, the Nike Flyknit technology has taken the market by storm. Nike’s Flyknit material offers support, flexibility and breathability all in the knit upper layer. The Flyknit material allows the shoe to fit snug and unnoticeable like a sock, while still giving the foot the support it needs to maintain a run. For any of you that have high arches and tend to insert arch supports or orthopedics into their running shoes, this shoe technology is for you. Puma’s Mobium technology band provides support, flex response for the foot in the arch and the most prominent areas of the foot.

According to Puma, the elastic band was designed to emulate the tendons in a runner’s foot. One of the coolest features of this technology is that it expands and contracts with the movement of the runner for a natural free filling while still maintaining support. With these three shoe techs being just a few of the many new technologies,  it is very exciting to think about how innovative and futuristic running shoes will  be just five years from now. What are some of your new favorite running shoes/shoe technologies? Comment below and let us know!Nike Unveils New Running Technologies and "Nature Amplified" Design Ethos Four new innovations are designed to enhance the running experience. NIKE, Inc., the world’s leading running brand, today unveiled four new innovations at an event at the company’s global headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. The new products are designed to enhance runners’ natural abilities and were guided by Nike’s "Nature Amplified" design ethos, an approach that is focused on designing for the body in motion and fueled by scientific data and athlete insights.

Two new running shoes were introduced  — the Nike Free Flyknit and Nike Free Hyperfeel — along with two new apparel technologies, Aeroloft and Dri-FIT Knit. “Innovation is not about creating for its own sake, it's about creating something better, designing with a purpose. youth tennis shoes on saleRunning is the heart and soul of Nike and it’s the birthplace of a constant stream of new innovations that will drive the company forward,” said Mark Parker, President & CEO of NIKE, Inc.footjoy golf shoes las vegas The Nike Free Flyknit is the fusion of two of Nike’s most iconic footwear technologies — the compressive Nike Flyknit upper and the flexible Nike Free outsole. shoes for gym nike

The Nike Free Flyknit upper features zoned performance mapping and a second-skin fit. The shoe provides the benefits of natural motion and a snug, supportive fit in a single shoe. Designed to feel like an extension of the body by minimizing layers between the foot and the ground, the Nike Free Hyperfeel delivers a natural motion sensation for the runner. running shoes calgaryA drop-in insole made from Lunarlon foam allows the foot to have direct contact with Lunarlon cushioning. nike tennis shoes free shippingThe ultra-thin waffle outsole uses strategically placed waffle pistons for grip and feel, allowing the foot to get closer to the ground.soccer shoes online uk Nike Aeroloft technology also debuted in the ultra-light Nike Aeroloft 800 Vest, designed to keep runners warm and comfortable in cooler conditions.

Insulating down has been combined with precision ventilation that allows heat to escape the body so athletes stay dry. Dri-FIT Knit is an ultra-soft, lightweight fabric engineered to help athletes maintain optimal performance temperature in a variety of conditions. The technology employs visibly different knit patterns to aid breathability, while seamless construction ensures a smooth fit free of distraction. “Nature Amplified means designing for bodies in motion and creating incredible new products that work intuitively with the human body,” said Trevor Edwards, NIKE Brand President. “The footwear and apparel we’ve unveiled today is based on insights from athletes and runners at every level, combined with extensive research in our Sport Research Lab. These innovations are data-driven, but body-led."NIKE engineers knit for performance With new Nike Flyknit technology, yarns and fabric variations are precisely engineered only where they are needed for a featherweight, formfitting and virtually seamless upper.

NIKE has engineered knit for performance to create running footwear that features only the essentials. Employing a new technology called Nike Flyknit, yarns and fabric variations are precisely engineered only where they are needed for a featherweight, formfitting and virtually seamless upper. With all the structure and support knitted in, the Nike Flyknit Racer’s upper and tongue weigh just 34 grams (1.2 ounces). The whole shoe weighs a mere 160g (5.6 ounces) for a size 9, which is 19% lighter than the Nike Zoom Streak 3, a shoe worn by first, second and third place athletes in the men’s marathon at the 2011 World Championships. While reducing shoe weight is one aspect of helping runners, the Nike Flyknit upper is also engineered for a precision fit, creating a feeling of a second skin. An additional environmentally sustainable benefit to Nike Flyknit is that it reduces waste because the one-piece upper does not use the multiple materials and material cuts used in traditional sports footwear manufacture.

Nike Flyknit is truly a minimalist design with maximum return. The inspiration for Nike Flyknit was born from the common runner feedback, craving a shoe with the qualities of a sock: a snug fit that goes virtually unnoticed to the wearer. But all the features that make a sock desirable have proven to make them a bad choice for a running upper. An inherently dynamic material like yarn generally has no structure or durability. NIKE embarked on a four-year mission of micro-engineering static properties into pliable materials. It required teams of programmers, engineers and designers to create the proprietary technology needed to create the knit upper. The next steps were to map out where the specific yarn and knit structures were needed. Applying 40 years of knowledge from working with runners, NIKE refined the precise placement of support, flexibility and breathability – all in one layer. The result is precision engineering in its purest form, performance on display.