Nike introduces the Mind 001 and Mind 002 to connect the body and brain through sensory design
Nike introduces a new dimension of performance technology with the debut of the Mind 001 and Mind 002 — the brand’s first neuroscience-based footwear designed to help athletes achieve mental focus before and after competition.
Developed over more than a decade of research and engineering, the Nike Mind platform bridges neuroscience and sport innovation to strengthen the mind-body connection through the feet.
Each silhouette engages the sensory receptors underfoot to stimulate the brain’s perception of movement, balance, and grounding. The Mind 001 mule and Mind 002 sneaker translate surface texture through 22 individual foam nodes per shoe, each moving independently on a flexible, water-resistant base.
This precision system creates real-time sensory feedback that enhances awareness and promotes mental clarity. Through tactile responsiveness, athletes can experience a state of calm concentration essential for peak performance.
Eric Avar, Nike’s VP and Creative Director of Innovation, describes the concept as “a new sensory-footwear paradigm that helps reawaken the foot, the body, and the mind.” The Nike Mind platform reflects the brand’s vision of performance not only as physical excellence but as cognitive readiness — an evolution in how athletes prepare and recover.
Behind this innovation lies Nike’s Mind Science Department, a specialized branch of the Nike Sport Research Lab dedicated to decoding the connection between mental states and athletic performance. Utilizing one of the world’s few mobile brain and body imaging laboratories, its neuroscientists analyze nervous system activity and cognitive responses during motion. These insights have defined a completely new product category aimed at optimizing focus, balance, and emotional regulation through sensory design.
Among hundreds of athletes involved in testing, footballer Erling Haaland emphasized the role of sensory precision in his training. He noted how feeling the movement through the shoes enhances his control and balance on the field — a reflection of the footwear’s core purpose to synchronize physical and mental readiness.
Every detail of the Mind 001 and Mind 002 — from material composition to ergonomic shaping — was engineered for this sensory immersion. The Mind 001 offers effortless wearability, while the Mind 002 reinforces stability and proprioception. Together they signify Nike’s next chapter in performance innovation: products that think with the athlete, not just for them.
All images: Nike
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