Nike ramps up adaptive fashion with expanded FlyEase lineup – Yahoo Finance

Nike (NKE) is stepping up its game to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The swoosh brand is expanding and improving its easy-entry footwear system called FlyEase.

One of FlyEases main goals, according to Nike, is to create more hands-free solutions, so the shoesare easier to take off and put on. Some of the features include straps that can be adjusted with one hand, drop-down heels, laceless closing, and the ability to modify the shape of the shoe for different foot shapes and sizes.

Nike has expanded the FlyEase lineup of shoes to 6 models: the Air Jordan 1 FlyEase ($140); Air Zoom UNVRS FlyEase ($160); Womens Air Zoom Pegasus 36 FlyEase ($120); Mens Air Zoom Pegasus 36 FlyEase ($120); LeBron Soldier 13 FlyEase Big Kids ($110); and LeBron Soldier 13 FlyEase (adult) ($140).

Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics wears Nike Air Zoom UNVRS sneakers during warmups before Game Three of the 2019 WNBA Playoff semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on September 22, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Air Zoom UNVRS FlyEase was inspired by Olympic gold medalist, forward for the Washington Mystics and 2015 WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne and her sister Lizzie, who has cerebral palsy. The side strap on the shoe features the message, If you have a body, You are an athlete.

FlyEase takes inspiration and insights from athletes of all abilities to drive innovation for all and helps eliminate barriers to play. Were excited to make an impact with solutions where everyone can benefit, said Sandra Carreon-John, senior director at Nike.

Adaptive clothing, or clothing that is designed to meet the needs of people with health conditions and limitations, is a segment of the fashion industry that has largely been ignored by major brands. But according to Coresight Research, the adaptive fashion market is expectedto climb to $349.9 billion by 2023. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that1 in 4 U.S. adults or 61 million Americans has a physical or cognitive disability that impacts major life activities.

Reggie Wade is a writer for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at@ReggieWade.

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Nike ramps up adaptive fashion with expanded FlyEase lineup - Yahoo Finance