Nike Joyride: How thousands of tiny 'bubbles' can aid your running

David Cooper - Writer 16:32 29/07/2019
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  • The new Nike Joyride

    An innovative new member of the Nike cushioning platform has been unveiled.

    While we are already familiar with the iconic Air and React systems, the Joyride is something completely different.

    Nike Joyride is a Nike-only, proprietary cushioning system made of thousands of TPE beads. The beads are placed within zonally-tuned pods, which allows the foam to expand in all directions offering the runner a personalized underfoot experience with great impact absorption.

    The latest running silhouette is designed with a system that creates a dynamic footbed that forms to your foot and feels personalized to you.The pod scale is based on how the foot strikes the ground when in motion. The heel pod, for example, is bigger to absorb impact, while those at the forefoot are prepared to facilitate a smooth transition forward. The unique sensation is said to be almost like running on bubbles.

    The science behind it

    Joyride is the result of intense, iterative trialing. One hundred and fifty materials were tested before landing on a TPE (a copolymer of plastic and rubber) for the beads.

    Engineering the Podsalso helped solve the problem of the beads migrating too much around the foot and becoming uncomfortable. With Pods, Nike designers were able to create a zonal-tuning for each respective iteration of Nike Joyride.

    Beads are dispersed within the pods to match the zonal-tuning that aligns with the performance needs of specific points in your stride. (For example, if there are 8,000 total beads in a running shoe,some 50 percent of the beads would cover the heel strike while 5 percent would offer cushioning at the toe.)

    Where you will see them in the UAE

    Nike Joyride releases first in the Nike Joyride Run Flyknit. Designed for all runners, the soft cushioning and smooth transition helps ease impact — important whether you’re a seasoned marathoner taking light run or a novice looking to find your stride.

    The Nike Joyride Run Flyknit is available on 15TH August , starting at AED 849 available in the Dubai Mall store, Mall of The Emirates store, Marina Mall, Yas Mall.

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