Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Insights from Suzann Pettersen Inform the Nike FI Impact 2

The Nike FI Impact 2 golf shoe enhances flexibility and stability

(RELEASE) - Frustrated by the absence of golf shoes that combine stability and flexibility, Nike Golf athlete Suzann Pettersen set forth a design dare.

“I challenged the footwear team to provide a lighter shoe with even better traction and midfoot support,” Pettersen recounts. Or as Nike Golf Global Footwear Product Director Lee Walker explains, “We see a lot of shoes out there are flexible but provide very little stability during the swing. On the flip side, there’s no shortage of golf shoes that offer good lateral support but are also heavy and offer no flexibility.”

These insights directed the development of the FI Impact and FI Impact 2. The latter builds upon the success of the former by introducing improved traction and enhanced flexibility. Meanwhile, Dynamic Fit eliminates the space between the foot and the shoe for unparalleled comfort and great midfoot lockdown.

“I challenged the footwear team to provide a lighter shoe with even better traction and midfoot support,” Pettersen recounts. “When I saw the finished product, I couldn’t wait to play in it.”
The FI Impact 2 also takes cues from the Nike TW ’15; it features a golf-specific Nike Free-inspired sole and superior traction elements in the toe and heel. Furthermore, the FI Impact 2 base is larger than that of its predecessor, bettering stability.

And living up to their initial challenge, the designers managed to shave an ounce off the original FI Impact.

“The challenge of combining two sometimes competing performance benefits, stability and flexibility, requires a unique formula. We’ve solved for that in the FI Impact 2,” confirms Walker.

Pettersen debuted the FI Impact 2 at the LOTTE Championship in April and wore the shoe while winning the Manulife LPGA Classic in June.

Available in four colorways for women (pure platinum, pink pow, white and black) and four colorways for men (wolf grey, black, photo blue and dark grey), the Nike FI Impact 2 comes with a one-year waterproof warranty.

The Nike FI Impact 2 is available now at nike.com and select retailers.

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