Nike Flywire is a yarn, consisting of Vectran or nylon, and developed by Nike, used on the top of the shoe. The goal of Flywire is to minimize weight and maximize support. Shoes containing Flywire became available for consumer purchase in 2008.
Video Nike Flywire
Development
Flywire was created by Jay Meschter, Director of Innovation at Nike. He starts by taking the latter (a foot-shaped object used for designing shoes) and marking the key points where shoes need to support the feet. When Meschter saw the embroidery machine, he was sure the machine could be used to make long stitches. Long stitches allow lightweight fibers to support the feet at key points, rather than using a layer of material that supports the entire leg. This idea was pioneered by Adolph Dassler in 1949, when he added 3 reinforcement lines on his canvas, Adidas running shoes.
Maps Nike Flywire
Design
The purpose of this design is to help and support the foot using the lightest and most powerful material, Vectran. The Flywire design (the yarn placed in the key parts of the top) prevents the foot from slipping when walking. Flywire is also a minimalist idea (the idea that goods should only contain needs), because the top only contains the basic features. This allows the maximum amount of energy to move forward each step.
Vectran
Nike adapted the Vectran fibers, produced by Kuraray, into embroidery threads, before being used in shoes. The vector fiber is thinner than a human hair, and is relatively inexpensive. The vector is light, flexible and high in tensile strength, the stress at which the material undergoes deformation (five times stronger than steel), making it an ideal component for synthetic fibers. Vectran has also been used by NASA and bicycle tires, among others..
Support
Nike designed the Flywire with inspiration from a suspension bridge, where many cables provide support. This allows support to be placed if needed, especially on the forefoot (metatarsus and toes) and heels. Cables are designed to wrap the legs like a tendon. Because support does not come from the material layer, the shoes are also more flexible. The only layer of material on the shoe in place to prevent dirt and stones reach the feet.
Weight
Because of the Vectran fibers, a 93-gram Nike Flywire shoe, "roughly as heavy as a Snickers rod with missing bites." There is a bit of excess weight because the top is very thin, and Vektran fibers are only added when support is needed. Shoe weight can be reduced by up to 50% through the use of Flywire. Track spikes (running shoes with nails added for traction) containing Flywire now lighter than the famous Michael Johnson Golden Shoe of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. The spike is so light that athletes claim they are like "second skin" or "nails coming out of their feet." This is the goal Bill Bowerman wants to try as a co-founder of Nike and designer surges.
Shoes
Many Nike shoes contain Flywire. These shoes are designed for a variety of activities and sports, including running, athletics, basketball, badminton, soccer, American Football, baseball and tennis. The athletic shoes debuted at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, while others made their first appearance at the 2008 Summer Olympics, in Beijing, China, although all are now available for consumer purchases.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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