The sole features a stacked design and comes with a stretch rubber leash over a rubber waffle outsole. Reportedly this material is made up of “regrind” soles that come from recycled shoes, while the polyurethane foam midsole is topped by a thermal plastic that was created from recycled air bags. So not only does this technology offer a benefit for amputee athletes but it is good for the planet in the process. And time will tell how this might help disabled athletes perform.

The Nike Sole

Össur’s Flex-Run Official Website
Nike Regrind Official Website
[Via Technabob: Nike Develops Prosthetic Leg Running Sole: Cyborgs Run Among Us]

The device is meant to be something that most people wouldn’t even notice most of the time – much like a Livestrong wrist band or similar decorative wear. But this one actually tracks what you do, and can provide data to the wearer in the way of LED lights that go from red to yellow to green based on your activity goals. Red doesn’t mean stop however, but is there to tell the wearer to step it up while green indicates an active day. And not all the movement can be tracked, notably for use on a bike – or even mowing the lawn – where the hands aren’t in motion, but it still could be a good device to track those “background activities.”

For deeper read out of daily workout the FuelBand can sync with a computer via a USB port, or send data wirelessly to an iPhone, while and Android application is in the works. The wristband will arrive in February and reportedly cost around $149. We hope to fuel up and give this a test later this spring.

Nike+ FuelBand Official Website

But we’ve seen improvements in shoes, fitness attire and of course eyewear. Several companies are leading the way, and this week UK-based T3 offered a story noting Nike’s role.

“I think technology and gadgets are actually helping modern day athletes stay healthy,” Paul Winsper the SPARQ Performance Director at Nike told T3 in an exclusive interview. “We were always trying to look at the next best thing to help recover our athletes.”

Of course, as the old saying goes, “you ain’t seen nothing yet!”

[Via T3: Technology in sport preventing athlete injury says expert]

For maximum organization, the Nike Brassie II Cart bag features a 9-inch, 10-way oval top that is fur lined and includes “stadium seating” for clubs. Stadium seating is a simple configuration that provides easy visibility when making club selections for each shot. An integrated external putter well and glove patch guarantees quick and convenient access.

The bag features nine functional pockets, seven of which are zippered, and of the nine pockets there is a large insulated cooler pocket to keep drinks and food cool during a round.  The Nike Brassie II also comes with two functionally designed matching accessory pouches.  The pouches can either be clipped onto the outside of the bag or placed in one of the nine pockets of the golf bag.

For women who prefer bright colors, there’s the Nike Brassie II Cart bag (Swan) that carries a vivid argyle pattern in hues of pink and lavender with a classy touch of grey, and for those who prefer more of an understated look, there is a grey plaid (Sail) version as well. To complete the Brassie II Collection, Nike Golf also has designed an array of accessories for women that match up with each of the Brassie II Cart bags, including the Nike Day bag, Nike Bucket bag and the Nike Tote bag.

Nike Golf Official Website

The Nike Xtreme Sport IV Carry Bag incorporates key features and benefits for those golfers who enjoys walking the course. It features ventilated air mesh back pad and updated Nike revolving double strap system, so every player can pick up and play with comfort and ease. It also includes new Nike Grind zipper pulls that are made using raw materials from the recycling of athletic shoes through Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program and from the recycling of scrap materials left over from the manufacture of Nike product. Additional features include new custom leg end caps to provide ultimate stability and GPS/rangefinder loops for functionality.

The Nike Xtreme Sport IV Carry Bag, allows the golfer to conveniently organize their items in one of its nine functional pockets, six of which are zippered. These include water-resistant fleece-lined valuables pocket, insulated cooler pocket, full-length apparel pocket and drawstring quick access pocket. The Nike Xtreme Sport IV Carry Bag is available in eight different color options (Midnight Navy/White-Soar, Granite/White-Orange Ember, Team Red/White-Action Red, Magenta/Midnight Navy-White, Lush Green/White-Dark Grey, Black/Electric Green-Print, and Granite/Pink Flash-Argyle) for $166. For those who like to play it to the extreme but don’t want to be weighted down, the Xtreme Sport IV Carry Bag is ready to tee off.

Nike Golf Official Website

Introducing the Nike Seitrio Hi-Vis ball, which builds on the legacy of excellence in the T90 football range that has served as the official match ball in the world’s leading leagues including Barclay’s English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga. Continuing to bring new innovations to football, the Hi-Vis ball features Nike RaDaR technology, which means Rapid Decision and Response.

Nike has tested the ball in the lab and on the field and the result is the Nike RaDaR technology, which makes it easier for players to see the ball better and capitalize on split second scoring and passing opportunities. In the game of football, precision sight is of utmost importance, and the Nike Seitiro is engineered to stand out on pitch even when conditions are not ideal. The yellow and purple color combination flaunts additional fluorescence and brighteners, making it even more visible in low light conditions than previous generations of Hi-Vis balls.

The Nike Seitiro features patented hi-vis casing, performance graphic, and unique five-layer construction, along with aerodynamic stability. The new ball saw its official debut on the pitch this past weekend. Chances are we’ll be seeing a lot more of it.

Nike Seitiro Premier League Hi-Vis at The Nike Store

Several tech-enhanced features offer performance benefits. An Adaptive Fit system helps the Zooms fit a range of foot shapes. Hyperfuse construction is a way to press lightweight layers together to construct the shoe without stitches; this helps make the shoe more comfortable and lightweight. Zoom Air puts a cushion of air in the sole to buffer the impact of the foot striking on the ground.

Nike Basketball Official Website

Available at retail on November 1, 2011, the new Nike Vapor X golf bag features new, ergonomically designed strap system with therenowned Nike Max Air curved technology. This new strap system combined with several other innovative features promises to enhance the playing experience by elevating performance and maximizing functionality.

Compact in size, the Nike Vapor X offers six functional pockets that provide a generous amount of storage space. The seam-welded, no-stitch technology enhances water-resistancy for playing in the elements, and the waterproof fleece-lined valuables pocket provides a safe location for cell phone and other valuables during the round. The Stretch-fit pockets of the Nike Vapor X have been created with dynamic expandable technology, allowing for increased storage capacity.

A versatile bag that is designed for walking the course, the Nike Vapor X offers many functions, including a 5-way divider and putter-well configuration for 14 clubs. So the golfer can easily find items in their bag, the Nike Vapor X provides intuitive icons for the waterproof pocket, glove patch, GPS/rangefinder loop, pen-sleeve and insulated water-bottle sleeve.

Known for incorporating “Nike AIR” technology in its footwear products, Nike Golf is now applying this same technology to the shoulder straps of its golf bags. The Nike Vapor X features new Nike Max Air Curved carry straps, a dual-strap design designed through extensive consumer insights and developed with Nike AIR technology. By curving the air bag within the strap, Nike Golf designers have created a golf bag that more ergonomically fits the shoulders. The die-cut mesh back pad has a new, tighter pattern, allowing for ventilation. These two features combine to provide superior support and optimum comfort while walking 18 holes.

Offered in seven color-ways, the Vapor X complements many of the upcoming men and women’s apparel and footwear lines for the 2012 season ($230 MSRP). Caddy not included, but not really necessary.

Nike Golf Official Website

Nike just released its Nike T90 Laser IV soccer shoe. The “football” shoe is 20 percent lighter than the previous version. It features a streamlined silhouette that provides enhanced fit and lets wearers feel the ball. The forefoot area has a newly configured adaptive shield design that works with the foot’s natural motion to boost performance. Constructed from high performance synthetic leather, the upper provides a soft and close-to-the-foot fit. On the sole, a new stud design enhances speed and movement, without added weight or pressure.

To coincide with the launch, Nike Football created the T90 Strike Counter on Facebook. This app allows users to log their goals, and recreate the action in a 3D image. Report the spot on the pitch from where a goal was scored; where in the goal the ball went, and what part of the boot (shoe) was struck the ball. The data render a 3D image that can be shared with friends. Participants can also check out the 3D image and input from pro football players.

Nike T90 Laswer IV Football Shoe Official Website

Nike will use a thermo-molding technique called Vac Tech to press the materials of the shoes into form rather than the traditional stitching. The thermo-molding technique is a vacuum compression method that forms all the layers of the shoe together without seams or stitching on the upper portions.

Advantages to the Vac Tech method are weight and durability. The pressed layers make the shoe stand up against wear. The lack of stitched layers means threads won’t fray and layers of material won’t start to pull apart. The compressed fabric also lends itself to a lighter shoe.

A single piece of material, or several layers molded seamlessly together, can also make a more comfortable shoe. No seams means no bumps in the construction to rub against spots on your foot to cause irritation and possibly blisters.

Nike Official Website
[Via: Fast Company Nike's New Thermo-Molded Sneakers Are Like Sculptures for Your Feet]

Nike’s LeBron line has a new shoe. The Lebron 9 Cannon design “focus on functionality without sacrificing style,” according to the company. Nike claims this basketball shoe is the first to combine its Flywire and Hyperfuse technology. While this may be a closer integration, previous shoes including a prototype shoe developed for Tiger Woods this past spring. This may, however, be the first commercially released pair of shoes from Nike using both technologies.

Flywire is an innovative way of constructing shoes that adds strength and support while keeping the shoe lightweight. Hyperfuse is a technique of building a composite mesh structure in shoes that adds strength to the mesh so it remains strong and intact. The result is a pair of shoes that are lightweight yet built to provide support and endurance to last a good, long season.

The shoes are built with a Max Air 180 heel, which is identified by the clear air cushion on the back half of the sole. Built in the sole is also the Nike Zoom forefoot, which gives the cushioning needed for LeBron’s quick response time. A mid-foot harness and textile wings add stability, durability and flexibility.

LeBron 9 Cannon comes in an eye-catching colorway. A slate background with military green detailing tops an orange sole. A bright green swoosh brings it all together. The LeBron 9 Cannon will first be released exclusively in Miami. This is to show appreciation and respect for LeBron’s South Florida fans. Last year’s LeBron 8 “SouthBeach” colorway got the same treatment. The Cannon was released at select retail locations in Miami earlier this week with wider availability to follow.

Nike Official Website

“Right out of the box, you can go on a walk or a run as well, without adding sensors or devices,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide product marketing.

There will also be watchband cases so these can be worn on the wrist. Otherwise the devices are essentially the same, with prices ranging from $129 for the 8GB version to $149 for the 16GB version.

The U.S. Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 has two air cushions where as the China version has one air cushion. This would not be an issue except that the advertisement used for the Chinese market claims that the China version has the two air cushion just like its American counterpart.

As reported in China Daily by Chen Yingqun (chinadaily.com.cn):

Wang Hai, who campaigns against counterfeit goods, bought a pair of Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 shoes recently in Beijing. He found they had only one air cushion in each shoe while shoes of the same style sold in the US had two. The price in China is 1,299 yuan ($203), about 500 yuan higher than the US market.

Wang filed a complaint with the Beijing administration for industry and commerce. He said he might sue Nike, asking it to recall the shoes and offer compensation.

Wang also provided pictures which he said prove that Nike deleted descriptions of the air cushions from its Chinese website after knowing the complaint.

The shoe has only been on sale in China since July and after admitting the false advertising, Nike swiftly announced their solution. For China customers who had purchased the Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 prior to September 9, 2011, they can return the shoes, with the original receipt, to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

Though this is not an issue for buyers in the U.S., it certainly is interesting to observe how a company who campaigns against fraud also engages in fraud.

[Via China Daily: Nike accused of fraud]