Asclepius, meet Nike. The footwear brand that has carried athletes such as Kobe Bryant to victory is now about to swoosh into hospitals with a range of shoes designed specifically to meet the needs of healthcare staff.
This month will see the launch of the Nike Air Zoom Pulse collection, a series of laceless sneakers that the US company says are made to meet the diverse demands of “everyday heroes” – doctors and nurses working in complex hospital environment.
According to Nike the shoes are a variation on the traditional clog with an athletic twist for flexible movement – and with the arch and posture support needed for long shifts.
“The design confronts a range of medical-worker-specific challenges. How can a shoe be both comfortable for long stretches of standing and versatile enough to support the hurried movements required in emergency situations?” says the Nike blurb.