The Nike Sole is an attachment designed for use with Ossur's Flex-Run carbon fiber running blades
By now, probably just about everyone has seen amazing footage of
single- or double-amputee runners, using Össur's Flex-Run carbon fiber
running blades. The springy substitutes for legs allow their users to
run so fast and naturally, that there is currently a debate over whether
or not it would be fair to allow athletes using them to compete against
non-amputees. Carbon fiber isn't exactly known for its grippy
qualities, however, so
Nike has been working with one-legged triathlete
Sarah Reinertsen, to create the equivalent of a shoe that could be used
with the blades. The result is the Nike Sole.
Like many blade users, Reinertsen started out using the sole from a
regular running shoe, which she just cobbled onto her prosthesis. In
2006, however, she began collaborating with Nike's Innovation Director
Tobie Hatfield, on a purpose-built sole. This month, they revealed the
finished product.
The Nike Sole consists of an outsole and midsole, along with a layer
of thermal plastic urethane called Aeroply, which is made of recycled
Air Bag units (these provide cushioning in the soles of some Nike
runners). This layer serves as the interface between the sole and the
blade.
Nine nylon tabs wrap around the edges of the blade to hold the sole
in place, while a stretchable rubber leash with a tactile grip pulls up
over a medallion on the blade, to keep the sole from sliding off.
The Nike Sole-equipped Flex-Run can reportedly now be purchased
through prosthetists' offices around the world. There's no word on
price.
More information is available in the video below.
Source: Össur via Designboom
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