Nike and athlete tech company Hyperice have launched a range of wearables designed to heat, cool, and massage, with the main goal of promoting recovery for athletes.
The Nike x Hyperice lineup features high-top shoes with air compression for foot massage and a vest for adjustable body temperature control.
Designed specifically for athletes, these wearables prepare the body for intense exercise and help with pre- and post-activity recovery.
“Recovery is an important part of any athlete’s journey, but we’re hearing from athletes that this concept of ‘pre-covery’ is equally as important,” says Tobie Hatfield, Senior Director, Nike Athlete Innovation. “The footwear and vest that we’ve developed with Hyperice help get the body ready for activity, whether you’re playing for a title or you’re on your feet a lot at work.”
The shoes use dual-air bladders that inflate and deflate to massage the foot and ankle, employing Hyperice’s Normatec technology.
Typically found in the popular blow-up sleeves for the legs, this compression system is now integrated into a functional (and fashionable? We’ll let you decide) shoe with warming elements to enhance muscle and tissue heating.
Each shoe, powered by a battery pack in the insole, offers three levels of compression and heat, individually adjustable via a button in the heel.
“Athlete testers have noted that their feet and ankles feel more flexible and lighter as if they’ve already warmed up before starting their routine,” said Nike.
The vest features sensors that automatically monitor and maintain body temperature. It also uses integrated thermoelectric coolers, which provide heat and cold without ice or liquid refrigerants.
Hyperice’s air bladders are also used in the vest, adjusting it to the body and pressing thermal modules inward for effective heating and cooling.
These wearables have been tested by Nike athletes like LeBron James and A’ja Wilson. The shoes are also being trialed at the USA Track & Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
American sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson tested the new gear before and during the Olympic Trials.
“I’ve been using the Nike x Hyperice boots as a key part of my recovery before and after training sessions and races this spring,” said Richardson. “Because of the lightweight design, I’m able to incorporate my boots into my daily routine without restrictions. Plus, the combination of compression and heat together in one device helps expedite that recovery.”
As the Paris Olympics approach, Nike has also unveiled a new collection of AI-enhanced footwear designed to improve energy return. Nike is leveraging artificial intelligence to help create high-performance footwear and is developing its own generative AI model to design products based on its extensive athlete data.
