What is Flyknit?
Shoe brands always try to make new changes and introduce the latest advancements in the footwear industry. These days shoe brands are focusing on technological domination in the footwear industry. Today we will be talking about the technology adapted by Nike “Flyknit”.
In 2012 Nike introduced “Flyknit” shoe technology. It is also known as 4D knitting and this technology is changing the way athletic shoes are made.
Flyknit is a type of shoe upper, that is made up of a single piece of digitally woven fabric. That woven fabric is manufactured by using a polyester thread, which is more flexible and breathable than any other shoe upper material and can auto-adjust to the areas of your feet where more support is needed.
Nike’s Flyknit is the most innovative sneaker invention in over 40 years. It’s not only about material or comfort, but also about the manufacturing process, Flyknit is manufactured by the revolutionary method that enables Nike to create a shoe that is best in performance and reduces the amount of material used, and cutting down the waste by almost 80%.
Other shoes require the process of cutting and sewing multiple materials together and leave several scraps that have no use. But the Flyknit process weaves knit strands of yarn together to form one seamless upper. Surprisingly, Nike has saved 3.5 million pounds of waste since it launched Flyknit and also diverted around 182 million plastic bottles from 9 landfills by switching to recycled polyester in all Nike Flyknit shoes.
Advantages of Flyknit
Flyknit has several advantages over the other shoes. Lets discuss some of the advantages of Flyknit:-
More Comfortable
Flyknit is manufactured through a different process as compared to other shoes, as we mentioned above, Flyknit is made from a single type of woven fabric. So this method eliminates the incorporation of several layers, seams, and volume, resulting in more materials and less flexibility. It offers better support to the feet.
Ultra-lightweight design
Flyknit has been made by using minimum material. Its elastic, ultra-lightweight and durable fiber can completely wrap the foot and offer a better fit. Lightweight and the better fit is the factor that made Flyknit athletes favorite shoes.
Protection
Nike’s Flyknit offers maximum protection for football players during running in terms of shock absorption. This shoe is very effective in absorbing shocks and reducing injury because the out sole has adaptive gel. The material of the shoe has breath-ability to avoid blisters and irritations that may occur due to moisture and friction that occurs during running.
Origin of Flyknit
Origin of Flyknit is inspiring and has a long-term goal. Nike was trying to create shoes that are lightweight and also have a construction process that reduces waste. Swoosh team has been experimenting as far back as the ’80s with an ultra-light mesh sneaker – the Sock Racer. After Sock Racer Nike experimented with several other shoes and found that the uppers were lightweight and breathable but they were lacking instability. Then started working towards Flyknit on the demand of runners, because runners were asking for the shoes that can give them the qualities of the sock.
In 2008 Flywire technology arrived. Flywire cabling used lightweight, high-strength threads to provide support exactly where it needed, giving Nike the confidence that they could create an upper that provided the same lightweight support. For 4 years, Nike was working with top designers and engineers after research and experimentation came with Flyknit uppers that give them all in one layer — breathability, durability, and support.
Conclusion
Nike has adopted innovative and unique technology and developed an entirely new way of manufacturing. Their shoes have the highest performing level. Flyknit also reduces the social and environmental risks.
Topics covered in this article:-
- What is Flyknit
- Advantages of Flyknit
- Origin of Flyknit
Thank you for reading out this article. I hope this helps!
