TEXTILES.ORG
At a recent event in Barcelona, Spain, NIKE officially presented its flyknit boot called Magista. Conceived to fit like a sock, the company claims that the knitted cleat will permanently change how soccer (football) shoes are designed.
The Flyknit technology creates sock-like feel and allows for strength and support to be knitted directly into the boot. The Magista also features a mid-cut, Dynamic Fit collar for a more locked-down fit and increased awareness of the body’s movements and interaction with the ground and the ball.
“The idea of Flyknit and the Dynamic Fit collar became obvious when we began testing our first prototypes. It was a new experience,” said Nike vice president of Sport Performance Footwear Phil McCartney. “It’s like wearing a glove. A glove starts at the wrist, not halfway up the hand. You need that transition so you don’t disrupt your body’s natural movement.”
To provide additional strength and lock-down for multi-directional movement, designers added Brio cables. These cables are knitted directly into the one-piece upper and lock the eyelet into the outsole, creating strength similar to a suspension bridge.
Nikeskin, a soft, breathable mesh layer bound with a thin polyurethane film, and just 0.1 mm thick, was applied on top of the Flyknit and melted onto the knit to help protect from water and cold. Nike also added 360° rotational traction through conical studs and a Pebax®-and-nylon plate to improve traction.
The Magista spent four years of R&D in the Nike Sport Research Lab and used feedback from some of the world’s best playmakers. Nike Flyknit was first used in Nike running shoes in 2012 and most recently in the KOBE 9 Elite basketball shoe.
