Earlier this month, sportswear giant Nike announced the arrival of a shoe that is for an untapped audience: disabled people who are not able to bend down or tie their own shoes. The Nike FlyEase was welcomed with great cheers all over social media, and of course the occasional social media jeers, which we will get into later.
Does it attempt to fix the person or the problem?
Nike attempted to fix the problem of people not being able to put on their own shoes or tie them. This does not exclude anybody, as able-bodied people can also purchase the Nike FlyEase for $120.
Was this the best use of resources?
I would say yes, it was about time such a huge company like Nike has embraced the problems the disabled face every day. This also is a good move for Nike, since they are known for their outspoken activism for all types of athletes and normal people alike.
Is anyone excluded from this design?
I would say the only people who are excluded from this design are the portion of disabled/able-bodied people who cannot afford a $120 pair of sneakers. A majority of disabled people live in poverty, so the price is worrying. I believe the $120 price tag is too high for “a shoe for everybody”.
Was there a better way to do this?
The only way I could see the Nike FlyEase could’ve been done better would make it more accessible to people, which means making it cheaper. The goal would be to make the shoe less expensive without sacrificing the quality of the materials and design.
When the unveiling of the FlyEase made it to Twitter, praise from able-bodied and disabled spewed in for Nike. However, a valid point was brought up by many: the modern “sneakerhead” culture will probably buy these shoes until they are sold out, and possibly resell them for cash. This would ruin the point of the shoe, as there would not be shoes for the target audience to buy. I hate to say it, but I feel this is exactly what is going to happen. I hate the “grailed” culture and how streetwear/sportswear brand’s releases are followed more intently than any religion I have ever seen. Hopefully, sneakerheads will recognize this problem and let the disabled enjoy these amazing sneakers.
Overall, I believe the Nike FlyEase is a huge step (literally) for designing attractive-looking sneakers and sportswear for the disabled. Again, my biggest problem with the FlyEase is the sort-of-hefty price tag. My hope is that Nike can keep diving into designing for the disabled community, refining their processes, and eventually making an even more accessible and affordable “shoe for everybody”.
