Nike designs shoe range for doctors, nurses and 'everyday heroes'
By Charlie Duffield
Nike have created a new range of ‘everyday heroes’ shoes to make life easier for doctors, nurses and other health care workers.
The Nike Air Zoom Pulse shoes were product tested at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon, to figure out what the design needed to incorporate.
Nike started collaborating with the Children’s Hospital in 2004 to enable young patients to design shoes, with the profits benefiting the hospital, and so far more than $27 million has been raised.
Six patients created their own designs for the new collection, and all profits will once again be donated back to the children’s hospital.
The finished product is a comfortable shoe which is durable and versatile, with spill protection and a grippy sole.
In a statement, Nike said: "During the sessions [at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital], the designers of the Air Zoom Pulse learned the rigours of these health-care workers' day-to-day efforts.
"Nurses, for example, walk approximately four to five miles and sit for less than an hour during the course of a 12-hour shift. The work is physically and mentally demanding.
“The design for the Air Zoom Pulse tackles those challenges with simplicity in mind. The shoe is easy to get on and off, and equally simple to clean. The fit, cushioning and traction systems work together to secure the foot in all hospital conditions.
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"The design confronts a range of medical-worker-specific challenges. How can a shoe be both comfortable for long stretches of standing and versatile enough to support the hurried movements required in emergency situations?
“The answer comes through the Pulse's full-rubber outsole, a flexible drop-in midsole with Zoom Air heel unit and a heel fit so secure, it feels like a soft, snug hug."
The shoes feature a laceless upper with an easy clean vamp, an elastic strap to ensure the heal is securely contained and to allow for an easy slip on, and a durable rubber sole with a traction pattern designed to maintain grip on wet surface.
There are six different designs available and the Nike Air Zoom Pulse will be released on 7 December at Nike.com.
All profits go towards the OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital and the Doernbecher Freestyle Program, which is now in its 16th year.
