MADRID, 20 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Debuting in the Nike InfinityRN 4 shoe, Nike ReactX foam protects the future of the sport by giving runners greater energy return and a lower carbon footprint than Nike React foam.
ReactX foam has been researched, developed and tested for five years to find a key balance between performance and environmental impact. By subjecting the material to an injection process, rather than compression molding, the new foam offers greater energy return without creating a larger carbon footprint.
Materials account for about 70 percent of Nike’s total carbon footprint. Advances in more sustainable materials will influence the entire sportswear industry to create more environmentally responsible products.
Nike Running introduces its latest innovation to deliver high-level performance while reducing environmental impact: Nike ReactX foam.
Compared to Nike React foam, ReactX is designed to reduce its carbon footprint in a pair of midsoles by at least 43 percent due to energy reduction in the manufacturing process, and increase energy return by 13 percent.
The resulting balance between performance and environmental impact in ReactX foam is a feat of sports performance engineering.
The industry has two traditional methods for making foam, which can be summed up as injection or compression molding.
The overall injection process is simpler and therefore carries a smaller carbon footprint, but it also tends to have lower energy efficiency and less performance benefit.
On the other hand, compression molding produces more responsive foams with higher energy yield, but also generates more waste and uses more energy to manufacture.
The new shoe combines ReactX foam with an all-new Nike Flyknit upper that allows for maximum airflow, breathability, flexibility, and containment, with a soft, supportive foam collar.
The lightweight fabric uses an average of 60 percent less waste than traditional shoe upper manufacturing. The updated upper also features increased volume in the toe box, a midfoot support system, and a water-resistant lining.