Nike is poised to redefine the future of athletic performance with the launch of its radical new platform: its first neuroscience-based footwear. Stepping beyond traditional metrics of cushioning and energy return, this innovation directly targets the brain, offering two mind-altering silhouettes—the Nike Mind 001 mule and Mind 002 sneaker—specifically engineered to help competitors lock in their mental state both before and after an event. The shoes are scientifically shown to activate key sensory regions of the brain via targeted underfoot stimulation, grounding athletes in the present moment and deepening their body awareness, which, in the hyper-competitive world of elite sport, could be the ultimate advantage.
The engineering challenge behind the new line was immense, representing a design and manufacturing feat over 10 years in the making. At the core of the design is a complex mechanical system featuring 22 independent foam nodes integrated into the sole of each shoe. These components are bonded to a flexible, water-resistant material, allowing them to function dynamically as pistons and gimbals. This complex articulation allows the shoe to impart the precise feeling and even the texture of the ground directly beneath, creating an unprecedented level of sensory interaction that clears away distraction and enhances concentration.
This focus on sensation led Eric Avar, VP, Creative Director, Innovation, to describe the creation as a new “sensory-footwear concept that helps reawaken the foot, the body and the mind.” It’s a bold declaration that signals a shift in the brand’s design philosophy, representing a new paradigm for how performance products can make athletes better in the future. By intentionally modulating sensory feedback, Nike is moving away from purely physical metrics and into the realm of cognitive readiness.
The genesis of this revolutionary approach lies in the brand’s cutting-edge Mind Science Department, a specialized group operating within the famed Nike Sport Research Lab. Leveraging one of the few mobile brain and body imaging labs globally, this team of neuroscientists studies the nervous system, brain activity, and cognition of athletes in motion. The resulting unique insights into the mind-body connection informed the development of this completely new category of product, paving the way for services designed to help competitors better prepare, train, compete, and recover.
The platform has undergone years of rigorous real-world assessment, tested by hundreds of athletes over the past five years, including Nike signature football star Erling Haaland. The striker noted the positive impact on his concentration, saying, “Every step I take, I think of the shoe and what I feel in my feet — which is a good thing. It helps me to bring balance to my game.” The dual-style offering caters to different needs: the Nike Mind 001 mule provides easy-on, easy-off convenience, while the Mind 002 sneaker anchors the foot for increased sensation and support, ensuring that every element—form, material, and construction—is precisely considered to amplify the wearer’s connection with their environment and their own body.
This release joins other major technological advances being unveiled by the brand, positioning the Nike Mind 001 muleand Mind 002 sneaker at the forefront of innovation. As Dr. Matthew Nurse, VP, Chief Science Officer, NIKE, Inc., puts it, after 45 years of studying muscles, joints, and oxygen, the brand is now expanding its focus into the mind. “By studying perception, attention and sensory feedback, we’re tapping into the brain-body connection in new ways. It’s not just about running faster—it’s about feeling more present, focused and resilient. That’s the next frontier of performance.” The future of focus arrives when the Nike Mind 001 mule and Mind 002 sneaker become available in January 2026.