COMMENTARY: LeBron James values advocacy with new shoes for disabled people

LeBron+James

LeBron James

Beginning in 2015, Nike began releasing athletic shoes for people with disabilities. Since then, the company has released three more versions of this shoe with added FlyEase technology, creating a laceless style for added ease when gearing up in the footwear.

In March, Nike revealed that in cooperation with basketball star Lebron James, they will be releasing their newest pair of shoes with their unique FlyEase technology, making sports even more accessible to athletes with disabilities. The new sneakers will be modeled after Lebron’s very own sneakers he wore in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last June, the Soldier 10s.

The shoes, named the Soldier 10 FlyEase, are available on the Nike website in both men’s , kids’s and infant’s sizes in the colors royal blue, black with a brown sole and white/silver with a light blue sole. OnNike’s website, they range from the prices $80 to $140.

They are constructed with a zipper that wraps from the left side of the shoe, around the heel to the inner side, so that pulling them over the ankle will be quicker and easier than ever before. This zipper feature is unique to the new release, with no other shoe in the FlyEase line containing it. Otherwise, the shoes will be no different from the Soldier 10 velcro style.

Regarding the focus of creating the shoes, Nike’s Senior Director of Athlete Innovation Tobie Hatfield commented to the Huffington Post, “One of the key learnings we’ve had in crafting accessible footwear is the importance of easy entry and exit of the shoe, not just simplifying its fastening system.”

To celebrate the release of his new sneakers, the pro baller invited patients at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation to attend a Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice facility. Each child that attended received a pair of the new shoes.

James wanted these children to be among the first to test out his tenth sneaker, commenting that “sports in general should not be taken away from any kid.”

With the FlyEase technology and King James’ platform, Nike will be able to inspire every person to pursue their passions.