Back in 2014, Nike debuted a soccer cleat that, literally, looked like a piece of sock welded to a sole. While absolutely odd, it was also absolutely fantastic, which is how it ended up a regular sight in football pitches around the world. Nike is now looking to bring the same unusual design to running in the form of the LunarEpic Flyknit.
Similar to the Magista Obra soccer cleat, the shoes combine a Flyknit running silhouette with a mid-high collar that creates the unmistakable sock-like appearance. More than an aesthetic element, the design is supposed to get the foot, ankle, and lower leg working in tandem, essentially creating a shoe that feels like an extension of your lower body. Seriously, Nike claims, the only thing you’ll feel like you’re wearing is the underfoot cushioning.
The Nike LunarEpic Flyknit uses different knit densities in the upper, along with Flywire cables that integrate with the laces for a dynamic and supportive fit that locks your foot down in an optimum manner. That upper is fused to a foam midsole for a more durable construction, with a pressure-mapped outsole using Lunarlon pods across key areas to provide targeted cushioning at exact spots where additional support is needed. Features include a skin-like overlay on the heel to give the silhouette added structure, precision cuts on the midsole that collapse during footstrike for excellent heel-to-toe transition, and a laser-cut outsole that delivers traction, regardless of the running surface.
Available now, the Nike LunarEpic Flyknit is priced at $175.