Nike Unveils Laceless Footwear You Can Put On Without Using Hands

Putting on and removing shoes, particularly those with shoelaces tied snugly, can be difficult in certain cases where one is unable to use their hands, such as when a person is carrying something and is unable to put the item down. Thankfully, Nike created a new kind of footwear that won’t require people to use their hands every time they need to wear it.

The new Go FlyEase sneaker is the perfect laceless footwear for moments such as those earlier mentioned. It’s also the perfect pair of shoes for those who are pregnant or have physical difficulties and cannot bend over to tie their shoelaces, are injured and can’t use their hands or do not have hands or arms at all.

Nike’s latest invention was actually designed to meet the needs of the handicapped. The footwear was inspired by Matthew Walzer, who was born with cerebral palsy, The Cut reported. Walzer wrote to Nike in 2012 and expressed his special need, which many people can relate to.

“At 16 years old, I am able to completely dress myself, but my parents still have to tie my shoes,” Walzer said in the letter. “As a teenager who is striving to become totally self-sufficient, I find this extremely frustrating and, at times, embarrassing.”

The new invention from Nike, then, comes as an answer to Walzer and many other people’s needs.

How it works

The new Nike Go FlyEase is not the first of its kind. It comes as the newest addition to the shoemaker’s FlyEase line of footwear but is the first to actually feature “hands-free” use. It doesn’t have laces or zippers. It uses a specially-designed hinge and a “tensioner” that lets it achieve a snug fit while allowing for comfort and ease of use.

To use the new Go FlyEase, all users need to do is insert their foot into the correct side, make sure the foot is in place, then lower their heel until the shoe locks in place.

To remove the shoe, users will need to put a bit of pressure on the back of the shoe using their other foot, then lift the foot – just like how most people wear slip-on shoes and sneakers.

Champion fencer Bebe Vio tells Nike, “With the Nike GO FlyEase, I just need to put my feet in and jump on it. The shoes are a new kind of technology, not only for adaptive athletes but for everyone's real life.”

The new Nike Go FlyEase comes in three colorways. It is currently available initially via invitation for Nike Select members, but the company hopes to make it available in more markets later this year.