Nike’s products, named the Mind 001 mule and the Mind 002 sneaker, incorporate 22 independent foam nodes per shoe mounted on a flexible, water-resistant material.
The company states that the underfoot elements move with the wearer and provide tactile stimulation intended to “activate key sensory areas” of the brain and to deepen bodily awareness.
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The Mind line is the first output from Nike’s Mind Science Department within the Nike Sport Research Lab.
Nike vice president and chief science officer Dr. Matthew Nurse said: “For 45 years, Nike has studied the body in motion — how muscles fire, how joints move, how oxygen fuels performance. Now, we’re expanding 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.”
However, Vivobarefoot, maker of minimalist and barefoot-style shoes, argued that the human foot already possesses evolved sensory capabilities.
Vivobarefoot CEO and co-founder Galahad Clark commented: “The human foot is a biomedical masterpiece. It’s one of the most complex structures in the body — with 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 200,000 nerve endings constantly sending data to the brain about balance, texture, temperature, and terrain. It’s nature’s original smart technology.”
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By GlobalDataVivobarefoot said modern cushioned footwear reduces the sensory feedback sent from the foot to the brain. Its products aim to restore that connection by offering a fit that allows the toes to splay, a flexible structure to enable muscle and tendon loading and recoil, and a minimal sole to preserve nerve endings’ contact with the ground.
“Wearing Vivos for just six months can increase foot strength by 60% and help feet regain their natural shape, sensation, and mobility. Free your feet, and the rest will follow,” Clark stated.
Vivobarefoot described its design approach as “regenerative innovation,” positioning the method as bringing design closer to biological function rather than adding technological layers.
The B Corp footwear brand noted additional programmes and structures intended to support sustainability and reuse, including a repair and resale platform called ReVivo and a LivebarefootFund that it says invests in research and initiatives related to natural health and biodiversity.
