ÖSSUR + NIKE = EXELLENCE

The combination of Nike expertise in the development of sports footwear and Össur’s expert knowledge of sports prostheses gives sports amputees the means of achieving fantastic results.

Text: Anders Lindgren

n 2011, Össur began working with Nike to create a sole for the Flex-Run foot prosthesis. The inventor of the sole is Sarah Reinertsen, amputee Paralympian and triathlete. It is designed to raise the user’s performance as well as improving efficacy and results for the orthopaedic engineer.

“The unique, removable sole replaces conventional methods where soles from ordinary running shoes or treads from car tyres are glued onto the prostheses. It goes without saying that a sole specially designed for its purpose will perform and last better,” according to Brooke Rash, Global Creative Director at Össur.

THE VENTURE COMBINES Össur’s expertise in running prostheses with Nike’s sole and surfacegripping technology. The venture involves both companies’ R&D teams, with small teams of product designers and engineers working together to develop the soles.

To bring in experience and opinions from runners and integrate them into the product development process, sportspeople and brand ambassadors regularly visit the Össur R&D facility in Iceland.

Alongside the engineers, they work with product testers and provide feedback.

“The facility is equipped with the latest gait analysis and high-speed filming technology.

THE FIRST Nike Sole was launched in 2011 and has been warmly welcomed by runners. Since then, a pad with studs for the Cheetah foot has been added, and development is ongoing. The company also cooperates on sportswear and mannequins.

“When Nike launched its new FlyEase shoe technology, mannequins with amputated legs and Össur prostheses were used in the Niketown store in London. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, which encourages other sites to be included in the campaign as well, Brooke Rash concludes.