Nike is releasing a range of shoes specially designed for our everyday heroes.
The Nike Air Zoom Pulse has been crafted for nurses, doctors and other healthcare provides who work tirelessly to serve the public.
Product testing for the sneaker was carried out at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon, in order to determine what demands the shoe must meet. During the sessions, designers gleaned valuable insights, such as the fact that nurses walk around four to five miles and sit for less than an hour during a standard 12-hour shift.
To counteract the physical demands placed upon healthcare workers, the Air Zoom Pulse has been designed so that the shoe is easy to slip on and off, and easy to clean. Additionally, the fit, cushioning and traction systems work together in order to ensure that the foot is secure in all hospital environments.
In a statement posted to the brand's website, Nike explained: "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."
Features include a laceless upper which is easy to clean, an elastic strap to keep the heel secure, and a durable rubber sole with a complex traction pattern to maintain grip on damp surfaces.
Six different designs of the Nike Air Zoom Pulse will be released on the 7th December on Nike.com. All profits will go towards the OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital and their Doernbecher Freestyle Program, which has now been running for 16 years.
