NIKE prosthetic running sole

the ‘nike sole’, designed for use in conjunction with össur’s ‘flex-run’ prosthetic, offers among the first commercial outsoles for amputee athletes

the ‘NIKE sole’ is developed to fit on össur’s ‘flex-run‘ prosthetic running blade, designed for use competitive amputee athletes by NIKE in collaboration with world-record-holding amputee triathlete sarah reinersten and össur orthopedic innovators. recycled materials and nike technology combine in the system that can easily be placed on and removed from a prosthetic blade.

full view of the sole with össur’s ‘flex-run’ prosthetic

cutaway view of the layers of ‘nike sole’

the stacked sole design of the ‘NIKE’ technology features a stretch rubber leash over a rubber waffle outsole, made using nike ‘regrind‘ materials from reused shoes. a polyurethane foam midsole is topped by a moderator composed of a thermal plastic urethane called ‘aeroply’, made of recycled nike air bags. nine nylon plastic tabs serve to lock the sole against the össur flex-run blade.

formerly relying on homemade, makeshift devices for running, sarah reinersten can now use the ‘nike sole’

back view of the sole and ‘flex-run’ prosthetic in use

‘nike sole’ was designed in close collaboration with reinertsen, who tested a series of prototypes and worked with the design team to engineer a secure, high-performing solution. in the past, reinertsen– like other competitive amputee atheletes– relied on simply attaching the outsole of a conventional running shoe to create her own footwear.

the design team was a collaboration among nike, amputee triathlete sarah reinerstee, and össur orthopedics