Nike unveiled Joyride cushioning to offer a lightweight shoe with high energy return. Nike spent years making the beads by testing over 150 materials before deciding on TPE beads. The beads expand for a more personalized running and cushioning experience.
Beads are placed strategically into zones, called Pods. These four Pods have a different amount of TPE beads depending on the location. For example, the heel has 50% of the beads where the toe gets 5% of the beads because the heel gets more impact.
In total, the shoe has 8,000 TPE beads and each one offers multi-dimensional displacement to expand in all directions. Each Pod ensures the beads don’t spread throughout the shoe but still conform to your feet as you run.
Compared to the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 and the Nike Epic React FK2, the Joyride offers 14% more impact absorption to keep your legs fresh.
Nike Joyride Run Flyknit will be the first shoe released and it is designed for all runners. Whether you are a beginner or training for a marathon, Nike designed these shoes for every level.
What about when you’re done with the shoes? What becomes of the TPE beads? Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program offers recycling services, so they will be made into new materials.
Nike Members have access to the shoes July 25 and the global release is August 15.