Nike introduces a new dimension of performance innovation with the launch of Mind 001 and Mind 002, its first neuroscience-based footwear designed to help athletes feel calm, focused, and present. Decades of research at the Nike Sport Research Lab have led to this groundbreaking development, marking the debut of the Nike Mind platform, a system that connects the science of the brain with the mechanics of movement.
SNEAKERS
The Mind 001 mule and Mind 002 sneaker are engineered to activate sensory receptors in the feet, stimulating key areas of the brain associated with focus and awareness. Each pair features 22 independent foam nodes bonded to a flexible, water-resistant material that moves dynamically with the body. Acting like miniature pistons, these nodes replicate the feeling and texture of the ground beneath, allowing athletes to heighten sensory awareness and deepen mental clarity during preparation or recovery.
Eric Avar, Nike’s VP and Creative Director of Innovation, calls the collection “a new sensory-footwear concept that helps reawaken the foot, the body, and the mind.” This idea forms the foundation of Nike’s Mind Science Department, an advanced division within the Nike Sport Research Lab dedicated to studying the brain-body connection in motion.
Using one of the world’s few mobile brain and body imaging labs, Nike’s neuroscientists have spent years analyzing how the nervous system, cognition, and movement interact. This research has led to insights that redefine performance, beyond speed or endurance, by focusing on presence and mental balance. According to Dr. Matthew Nurse, VP and Chief Science Officer at Nike, “It’s not just about running faster, it’s about feeling more present, focused, and resilient.”
The Nike Mind prototypes were tested by hundreds of athletes over five years, including footballer Erling Haaland, who described the experience as transformative: “Every step I take, I think of the shoe and what I feel in my feet. It helps me bring balance to my game.” His feedback underscores the purpose of the project, to help athletes quiet external noise and reconnect with their bodies.
The Mind 001 offers a slip-on mule design for comfort and transition, while the Mind 002 introduces a structured sneaker form for more active use and enhanced stability. Both models share a minimalist aesthetic and prioritize material innovation to amplify tactile feedback. Their design complements Nike’s ongoing research in Air apparel, cooling systems, and powered footwear, key technologies shaping the brand’s vision for the future of sport.
After decades studying biomechanics, Nike now turns its focus to neuroscience as the next performance frontier. The Mind platform bridges physical engineering with mental optimization, signaling a shift toward footwear that doesn’t just perform, but interacts with how athletes feel and focus.
The Nike Mind 001 and Mind 002 will be available in January 2026 on nike.com and at select retail partners worldwide.
