Nike and recovery expert Hyperice have collaborated to develop footwear designed to transform mundane recovery into active recovery. The latest Air Zoom Hyperslide, released in late July, is a thin-soled slide that offers focused heat and vibration therapy on the top of the foot, while providing the comfort and feel of an everyday sandal. In the core of the design is a compact hypoxia Hyperslide Pod that is attached magnetically to the integrated strap.
When docked, the device brings three intensities of heat, up to 117 degrees fahrenheit, and three intensities of vibration. Therapy lasts in short 15-minute sessions with adjustable control either via buttons on the pod or via the Hyperice app.
It is based off of Hyperice’s proven Venom line of recovery products, transformed into apparel for athletes and ordinary people to wear while doing anything. Shell, Nike has installed a complete Air Zoom unit across the sole of the foot that gives the brand’s trademark cushioned, soft responsiveness. The integration is such that even with the recovery pods turned off, the slides feel entirely comfortable to walk in, whether you’re bombing around an airport, relaxing on the sofa after a long session in the gym, or just taking the impact out of a day on hard surfaces. The pod itself is removable and rechargeable, keeping the shoes ultralight for travelling ease.
In fact, the hypermini and hypersonic are actually based on its predecessor, the Nike Hyperboot, a beefier high-top recovery product that used heat coupled with compression to rejuvenate the foot. While the Hyperboot covered only the foot and ankle and was intended for use in a more static environment, the hypersonic involves more portability and accessibility. As Hyperice President and CEO Jim Huether noted, the idea was to ‘meet them where they are, rather than expect them to come to us, ‘ and recovery should be spread out across the day not focused on a specific chunk of time with a dedicated piece of equipment.
The ultimate advantage of these athletes trying sample versions was stated by several. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk explained that the heat and vibration gives his feet a rapid recovery while the Air Zoom cushioning offers a comfortable general experience.
Targeted at not just professional athletes looking to enhance their performance, Hyperslides cater to those who work travel move and train through the effects of fatigue. Foot fatigue is one of the most common yet disregarded causes of tiredness; Hyperslides is trying to provide this form of treatment in an already popular shoe. It is anticipated to cost approximately 250 dollars, when the slide is scheduled to launch on September 29 on Nike and Hyperice sites and through select retailers globally. That puts the slide as a high-end recovery product, not a street-style daily sandal, but well below the Hyperboot.
