Sneaker Freaker is just one of the global media invited to Beaverton this week to peep the new Olympic footwear and apparel range. There's a few highlights from Day One that really took our breath away, but the unexpected sucker punch was that there are now Nike models specifically designed for ALL sports... yep, that's ALL sports, every single one, even the weird pursuits such as sailing, archery, badminton, horse riding and weightlifting! And wait til you see the BMX stuff! Along with a gaggle of assorted media and more cameras than Tim Sha Tsui, we viewed the initial onslaught today and absorbed several presentations from key Nike staffers as well as a Q& A with a witty and entertaining Kobe Bryant, talking mainly about the craziest ball shoe we've seen for yonks, the new Hyperdunk. Given the timelines, we don't have time for in depth analysis right now, but we thought we'd whet your appetite with some of the more obscure discoveries. For a full report, clock sneakerfreaker later this week. To view the entire range, click here.
In the meantime, here's the full PR blurb for this shoe!
BMX
BMX, or Bicycle Moto Cross is the non-motorized version of motocross, but also includes freestyle and jumping. The sport is making its Olympic debut in Beijing this August and Nike athletes will be outfitted in innovative footwear and uniforms.
“Looks like a dunk, but acts like Lance’s cleat.” That statement sums up the power and impact of the Nike Dunk Gyrizo, a shoe specifically designed for BMX racing. The Gyrizo, which is Greek for wheel, is actually built on the same cycling last as Lance Armstrong’s cleat. The external portion of the shoe looks like Nike’s wildly popular Dunk model, but the design of the internal plate transfers power in the up and down strokes of the rider. A strap on the upper and a lace pocket keep laces out of the rider’s spokes while a durable outsole compound was integrated to accommodate a wider bike pedal. Kevlar lace and metal grommets are also used to maximize durability. Rubber and thinner midsole on the shoe allow a rider to walk easily before and after races.
