Tony Hardman: Footwear Design
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Nike Kendo Tennis Concept
ken·do (ken'do) n. The Japanese martial art of fencing with bamboo swords.
This project started as a collaboration with a young man from Boston, Mass named Ben Adams-Keane. We decided on a Samurai inspiration as a tie-in to the competitive opposing and slashing nature of tennis. We studied everything from the moves of players' feet, to Samurai culture and history and the current shoes on the market. We both liked the ideas behind the Nike Revive Tennis shoe and decided to evolve it even more with the Kendo by adding some new ideas of our own.
Ben's Concept Sketches
Initially, several key performance features were implemented including a TPU "dragon claw" support structure for lateral reinforcement, a medial ventilation window inspired by chainmail armor and removable heel and forefoot bottom plates that could be switched out for different court surfaces and screwed on like cleats into the midsole.
Initial Concept
Ben's Concept Sketches
Initially, several key performance features were implemented including a TPU "dragon claw" support structure for lateral reinforcement, a medial ventilation window inspired by chainmail armor and removable heel and forefoot bottom plates that could be switched out for different court surfaces and screwed on like cleats into the midsole.
Initial Concept
Round 2
The Kendo evolved further following additional research of Nike's Revive shoe. Many athlete's realized that the removable sole was wearing in some spots quicker than others, rendering the entire sole useless. To diversify the technology, a threaded EVA midsole was developed with reversible rubber plates that could be flipped and screwed into position. This provided zonal replacement for wear and multiple court surface adaptability. In addition, the dragon claw structure was extended around the heel to double as a counter. The Samurai "armor" story further advanced the Kendo's performance by implementing a titanium laminate (a current NASA technology) to the underside of the EVA sole to deflect heat away from the foot, thus keeping it cooler during play. Check out the ideation sketches below.
The Kendo evolved further following additional research of Nike's Revive shoe. Many athlete's realized that the removable sole was wearing in some spots quicker than others, rendering the entire sole useless. To diversify the technology, a threaded EVA midsole was developed with reversible rubber plates that could be flipped and screwed into position. This provided zonal replacement for wear and multiple court surface adaptability. In addition, the dragon claw structure was extended around the heel to double as a counter. The Samurai "armor" story further advanced the Kendo's performance by implementing a titanium laminate (a current NASA technology) to the underside of the EVA sole to deflect heat away from the foot, thus keeping it cooler during play. Check out the ideation sketches below.
Final Concept
