Nike

Nike Designed Shoes For Doctors And Nurses Working Long Shifts

Updated September 4, 2021

There are athletes all around us, but they're not always chasing a ball on a field. Often, they're doing much more important things, like saving lives.

If there's any doubt about that, just look at what Nike did.

Nike, whose name is synonymous with basketball and running shoes, has designed a line of shoes just for medical professionals.

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In a press release, Nike explained that their new line, the Nike Air Zoom Pulse, "is a shoe for everyday heroes: nurses, doctors, home health providers and others who work tirelessly to support patients."

Nike's design team worked in concert with the staff at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon to develop the line.

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In the halls of the hospital, the designers learned plenty. "Nurses, for example, walk approximately four to five miles and sit for less than an hour during the course of a 12-hour shift. The work is physically and mentally demanding."

Obviously, health care workers have needs in their daily tasks that Air Jordans aren't well suited for.

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Those long, highly active shifts put a strain on feet, so comfort and support are paramount. And the unique environment of a hospital makes non-slip and spill-resistant features must-haves.

The result is a grippy slip-on shoe with a full-rubber outsole and arch and posture support.

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And as a bonus, it looks like a Nike, not one of those clunky orthopedic shoes.

They're not quite ready for release just yet, but will drop on Nike's website on December 7.

Nike

They'll be available in six different designs, each of which was created by a patient at Doernbecher Children's Hospital.

In fact, this is far from the first time that Nike has worked with Doernbecher.

Nike

Every year since 2004, Nike has invited kids at the hospital to design their own shoes as part of a fundraising initiative. To date, the Freestyle program has raised more than $27 million for Doernbecher.

All profits from the sale of the Air Zoom Pulses will go to Doernbecher.