Shoe design fuses art with science. It’s a delicate balance of
blending breakthrough form with proper function to deliver exceptional
performance.
Since 1972, Nike Basketball has been on a quest to create shoes that
deliver cutting-edge innovation and bold design. By taking risks and
providing athletes with footwear they never imagined, Nike has ushered
in a fresh approach to designing shoes.
When dissecting the three fundamental elements of a basketball shoe
you have the upper, midsole and outsole. The “upper” of the shoe, the
top portion above the sole, is critical to keeping an athlete secure,
supported and comfortable. The surface area of an upper also is key real
estate for color, graphics and unique performance attributes.
Spanning five decades, the transformation of the basketball shoe’s
upper has been dramatic. In 1972, the Blazer was a simple cut-and-sew
leather design. In 2012, Nike introduced the revolutionary Kobe 8
System, a completely new interpretation with Nike Engineered Mesh, made
to meet the needs of one of the game’s best players.
Here is a look back at transformative moments in the evolution of the upper:
