Nike and Native Americans: The N7 Collection

NOTE: In Canada, we use the term First Nations instead of Native Americans.

BEAVERTON, Ore.  — This weekend Nike (NYSE:NKE) will debut the Nike N7 Collection, a select range of performance footwear designed with the environment and the future of Native American communities in mind. The N7 Collection will be sold exclusively through 33 Nike Factory Stores in the U.S. and via www.nike.com, with a portion of the profits going to the N7 Fund, which supports youth sport in Native American communities.

“For more than 10 years Nike has worked closely with Native American communities to provide support through product innovations specific to the needs of Native Americans and by providing grants to support sport programs through the N7 Fund,” said Sam McCracken, General Manager of Nike’s Native American Business. “With the introduction of the N7 Collection, consumers now have the ability to be their own agents of change, as the profits from their purchase will help young people in Native American communities realize their potential through sport.”

The N7 Collection was created through the lens of Considered Design where products are engineered for higher performance and lower environmental impact.

The N7 Collection features the N7 Air Pegasus+ 26, the N7 Huarache, as well as the N7 SMS RT for preschool and toddler sizes.

Nike N7 Air Pegasus+ 26

The Pegasus is one of Nike’s best known icons and Nike’s top selling running shoe. After 26 years on the feet of elite and everyday runners, the Pegasus continues to prove that it’s capable of running past just about anything. The Nike N7 Air Pegasus+ 26 features Native American inspired design details and graphics that tie the shoe back to the N7 Collection.

Features include:

• The N7 Air Pegasus+ 26 features a snug, secure fit, enhanced stability and a smooth, natural range of motion through all phases of footstrike with strategically placed overlays and zonal support.
• A full-length Air-Sole unit delivers the ride and cushioning associated with the Air Pegasus franchise and now accommodates a Nike+ sensor for an enhanced running experience.
• The fitsole sockliner, featuring N7 design details, molds to the shape of your foot for a custom fit with great support.

Considered Design features include:

• Environmentally Preferred Materials (EPMs) were used wherever possible. The EPMs used in the upper have a high recycled content.
• The Waffle outsole uses Nike’s environmentally-preferred rubber as well as Nike Grind, recycled athletic footwear and manufacturing scrap, to provide great multi-surface traction with a measure of added cushioning.
• The Nike Air bags also used 83 percent recycled content.
• Best-practice manufacturing enabled the air bag and midsole components to be attached using water-based adhesives.

Nike N7 Huarache

The Nike N7 Huarache combines a performance basketball shoe featuring the newest innovations for sport paired with Nike’s Considered Design approach. The N7 Huarache features design details and graphics that tie this shoe back to the N7 Collection, engineered for higher performance and lower environmental impact.

Features include:

• The N7 Huarache features performance innovation with Nike Zoom, an incredibly thin heel and forefoot unit that brings the foot closer to the ground for optimum feel and aggressive manoeuvrability. Very light. Very responsive.
• A compression inner-sleeve delivers the locked-down, N7 Huarache fit for superior performance.
• The directional herringbone outsole features pivot points for great traction on court.

Considered Design features include:

• The N7 Huarache performance basketball shoe uses EPMs, with a high recycled content, wherever possible.
• The stitching details and embroidery create structural support, eliminating the need for excessive overlays, embellishments and backing materials.
• A smarter pattern design allowed for a cutting efficiency of 70 percent on the upper, substantially reducing waste.
• The N7 Huarache features Nike Grind in the outsole, a rubber compound made from recycled athletic footwear and manufacturing scrap.

Nike N7 SMS RT (Kids)

The Nike N7 SMS RT is a durable, all-day play shoe that meets the demands of the rough-and-tumble kid. The shoe features Sensory Motion System (SMS) technology for a natural, efficient range of motion, aiding healthy foot development for growing kids.

Features include:

• Design details and graphics tie this shoe back to the N7 product line, engineered for higher performance and lower environmental impact.
• The SMS technology utilizes Nike Free inspired, multidirectional flex grooves that allow natural flexibility to facilitate fine muscle development, which is key for foot strength and balance.
• The Sensory Motion outsole consists of a minimal rubber cupsole that maintains flexibility while providing protection, durability and traction.
• A stretchy, lace-free closure system works with a hook-and-loop closure system to deliver easy on and off and a snug, secure fit.

Considered Design features include:

• The Nike N7 SMS RT shoe uses EPMs, with a high recycled content, wherever possible.

The collection launches Saturday, November 7, 2009. Suggested Retail prices: N7 Huarache $110; N7 Air Pegasus+ 26 $85; N7 SMS RT toddler/ preschool kids $42-$47. For additional information regarding the N7 Fund, please visit www.n7fund.com. To find the location of your nearest Nike Factory Store or purchase the collection directly, visit www.nike.com.

About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.

About N7 Fund

The N7 Fund is committed to helping unleash the potential of Native American youth through the power of sport. In addition to building surfaces for play, the N7 Fund provides grants and product donations to support youth in their quest for sport; and it brings volunteers, organizations and decision-makers together to improve opportunities that help youth grow up healthy and active. The N7 Fund is managed by an external Board of Directors to make a difference beyond the playing field. For more information, visit www.n7fund.com.