For some time now, top brands have been using a term to refer to the upper of some of their newest shoe models. We’re talking about the term Knit. In the case of Nike, this type of material is referred to as Flyknit.
But, what is Flyknit?
We can consider it as a new type of shoe upper made of a single piece of digitally woven fabric. Sometimes this piece makes up the entire upper part, offering a perfect fit to the foot. Flyknit is developed using a polyester thread, being more flexible and breathable than other materials and adjusting to the areas where more support is needed.
In addition to the great development of these models, this system provides a series of other advantages: the seamless upper offers a great comfort, and the fiber threads provide a great support and durability.
Nike Flyknit eliminates the need to use the various materials and cuts used to make the uppers of traditional footwear, significantly reducing the amount of wasted material.
Advantages of Flyknit
This fabric mainly focuses on the re-design of the upper of our classic sneakers, taking advantage of natural flexibility. Nike has achieved a final product focused on the power of the foot, not the shoe. The Swoosh brand has already introduced several models of these featherweight running shoes, you can find all models of flyknit sneakers at sivasdescalzo.
Let’s look at the advantages we can get with this type of trainer:
1 – More comfortable chaplains.
This technology does not have the characteristics of a common shoe, such as the incorporation of several layers, seams and volume, resulting in more materials and less flexibility. A pair of sneakers with a Flyknit upper have virtually no seams in their uppers, adapting to the foot and offering support at the same time.
Some Flyknit models include a seamless mesh that makes the shoe light and breathable, as comfortable as if you were wearing a sock.
2 – Ultra-lightweight design.
Flyknit technology is a clear example of how less can be more. Its elastic, ultra-lightweight and durable fiber can wrap around the shape of the foot, simulating the comfort of wearing a sock. The type of fabric is slightly looser than other materials, promoting better breathability. The fact that they do not have overlapping seams is one of the key factors that make Nike Flyknit shoes a favourite among athletes.
3 – Good support.
Flyknit incorporates in its fabrics a non-elastic fiber in some key areas of the foot, such as the heel or the toe, providing greater stability and support where it is most needed.
In summary, Flyknit technology has reduced the weight of the shoe, the manufacturing process, the material waste, providing at the same time maximum sports performance to the runner with a minimum of environmental impact.
Popular models with flyknit
Nike Flyknit Trainer
One of the first models to feature a Flyknit upper, the Flyknit Trainer released in 2012 after the success of Flyknit running shoes during the London 2012 Summer Olympics. This silhouette features a knit construction in the upper with Flywire filaments for extra support and a foam midsole. Nowadays, this model is one of the favourites among sneakerheads.
Nike Flyknit Vapormax:
With a flexible Flyknit upper and a reinvented Air cushioning system, the Nike Air VaporMax trainer is one of most popular models with this type of knit. The sole mold of the VaporMax sole is composed of over 39.000 components. As a result, the sneaker is light, responsive, and flexible.
“The Nike Air VaporMax is really the intersection of performance and style, delivering performance benefits with an all-new, clean, modern aesthetic,” said Brett Holts, VP of Running Footwear at Nike”
Nike Flyknit React:
The Nike Epic React Flyknit is a new running shoe with a new technology: React. This new foam is softer, lighter, more durable and more responsive than previous cushioning technologies. The Nike Epic React Flyknit provides comfort and stability during the training.
Nike Flyknit Street:
Completely conditioned to suit your day to day life as well, this new Nike model features a light Flyknit upper that adapts to the foot’s morphology, as well as a high-cushioning midsole with React foam; a new technology from the Oregon brand. It promises to be a revolution in terms of comfort and resistance.
Taking as its base the VaporFly Elite, a running shoe designed for elite runners, the Oregon brand has sculpted a model with a more lifestyle appearance. This new running shoe has a considerably lower exterior sole with a midole that augments the size of the Swoosh, and improves the quality of the lacing system.
The future of Flyknit: Flyprint
The Nike Zoom VaporFly Elite Flyprint is the latest evolution of Flyknit, it could be Nike’s first real move into 3D printed technology. Nike Flyprint uppers are produced through solid deposit modeling, a process where a TPU filament is unwound from a coil, melted and laid down in layers.
The main benefit is it can be made using specific personal data, allowing designers to translate athlete data into new textile geometries. The process to develop Flyprint uppers begins by capturing athlete data. That data is then computed to affirm the ideal composition, to produce the final textile.
Other benefits of Nike Flyprint:
– It’s quicker than previous manufacturing methods: Nike is capable of moving faster with unprecedented precision, nine days is enough time to build a new upper.
– This new textile also works perfectly with other materials, like Flyknit.
– The new uppers are built to prevent fabric from rubbing against itself when you’re wearing the shoe.
– It’s lighter: the result is a running shoe that is 11g lighter than the Nike VaporFly Elite.
