Nike Just Does It: Riding Boots Revolutionized...and the Spurs Are Built-in!
Just in time for the 2008 Olympics, Nike holds up a mirror to equestrian sports and says, "Isn't it time you joined the 21st century?"Double-click (or whatever your browser requires) on the image at left for a larger view of the new Nike "Ippeas" riding boot. Nike is launching a new design of footwear for every sport in the 2008 Olympics.
To quote from the press release:
After listening to insights and ideas from top equestrian athletes, several rounds of prototypes were produced and improved with each effort. The final creation was the Nike Ippeas, a beautiful leather and synthetic boot that provides protection, support, traction, traditional aesthetic and horse control in a total package that also reduces weight by eliminating the need for strap-on spurs.
Nike developed many innovations for the Nike Ippeas, including rubber pads for the outsoles of the boots to improve stirrup traction, an adjustable titanium screw-in spur system (inspired by track spikes) that eliminates the need for additional hardware on the ankles, and a full-length engineered zipper for easy on-and-off.
Perhaps the most revolutionary development is the most subtle: a thin, high-abrasion synthetic rubber material on the medial side of the boot that delivers improved grip on the horse and saddle, which gives the rider better communication with the animal and increased stability during demanding jumps.
Key Features
-Crafted footwear that marries innovation with the classic riding boot silhouette
-Rubber outsole pads to improve traction on stirrups
-Asymmetrical zipper for comfortable on-and-off
-Track and Field-inspired screw mount spurs (three possible positions)
-Full-length Zoom Air cushioning for underfoot comfort
-High-abrasion synthetic rubber on medial boot for control and communication
(end quote from press release)
This might take some getting used to. Hopefully the spurs are also removable.
Welcome to the horse world, Nike! Now, do you anything on the drawing board for my horse's feet?
PS "Ippeas" is Greek for "rider".
posted by Fran Jurga @ 4/09/2008
12 comments
12 Comments:
Is there a website that I can go to that sells these? An equine distributor maybe?
Hi Stephanie,
I wondered the same thing. I contacted Dover Saddlery, and was told that they have been in touch with Nike about the new boots.
I am sort of hoping to see one at least on display at Rolex at the end of this month.
I'll keep you posted!
fran
thanks!
Ulgy! They might be practical, but they are extremely ulgy. And take the red off it!
Agreed. The aesthetics of this boot are a miss, and unless Nike's offering it at a price that makes it practical for everyday wear, I don't see much reason for the average rider to replace traditional tall boots with this eyesore. Having read the full press release from Nike, I get the impression that they're not really in touch with the equestrian customer or even the sports this boot was designed for. As interesting and, in a way, gratifying as it is to see them make an effort, I'll stick to the companies that have served me and my bipedal comforts well for the past fifteen years at the barn.
Can you say, yuck, gross, ugliest things I've ever seen! Get rid of the red logo, those nasty looking plastic space-man heels and I wonder if the zipper will dig into your ankle when you've got your heels down. See how the zipper wraps around your ankle? Weird. And I don't know who they consulted with, but it might have been an alien with bad taste. Those are just butt-ugly and for $1,000, I'd just as well get a pair of custom made boots.
Blechk.
I don't think that these boots are the most attractive, but Nike tried.
And according to the Wall Street Journal, the boots are only retailed at $450, not $1,000.
I don't think that these boots are the most attractive, but Nike tried.
And according to the Wall Street Journal, the boots are only retailed at $450, not $1,000.
The heel is exceptionally ugly. Yes I want comfort but...get Polo to design the style. I'm afraid that the abrasion ,gripping inside of the boot will ruin my saddle. As someone else said this is definitly not a show boot. But the air holes and the sole and the easy on and off zipper are great. But will the zipper last through every day use thats the problem with the ones I have now. The logo should be in metal on the outside of the heel. or a small emblem on zipper tab. The weird shaped heel and those grooves have got to go. Equestrians will pay big bucks for a better boot but this isn't it yet.
These boots are hot!!! Nike is definately bringing some style and comfort to the sport.
If you are interested in the next generation of high performance riding boots you should consider Tretorn's performance riding boot.
Unlike the Nike boot which isn't on the market, the Tretorn boot is now being sold in the United States.
A company called EquiFit, out of the Boston area, is selling the boot. The website is www.equifit.net
Not only are the boots comfortable and innovative they are stylish... These boots are going to be huge.. you heard it here first.
I got a pair of ebay for $100!, they are so comfortable and have a great grip, but I can't find the spurs anywhere, and they look so sporty, sure you can't wear them in the hunter ring, but if your cross country colors are red and black your a winner!!
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