- Nike's Jordan brand on Tuesday unveiled a line of slip-on sneakers for kids.
- The market for easy-entry footwear is booming, with numerous brands bringing shoes to market.
- Nike's also an investor in Kizik, a company that makes and licenses hands-free shoe technology.
Nike's Jordan brand on Monday unveiled its first line of slip-on sneakers for kids.
The collection comes as numerous brands, including venture- and Nike-backed Kizik, look to capitalize on the booming demand for hands-free sneakers.
"Slip-on silhouettes have been all the rage throughout 2022," Sneaker News wrote last week in reference to a new Adidas shoe.
The new Jordan line, called the 23/7, is designed for easy entry and all-day use. In addition to slip-on entry, it also features an adjustable upper that can be widened.
"Part of why we designed the 23/7 is because we wanted to create a shoe that is an everyday part of a kid's world," said Tate Kuerbis, Jordan brand design director for kids footwear, in a news release. "Kids want to get into their shoes quickly to get out and play — this shoe enables them to do just that."
Kuerbis designed the Air Jordan signature models 18, 19, and 31 through 36.
Nike has been dabbling with easy-entry shoes for years. In 2015, Nike released the FlyEase, a slip-on shoe. In 2017, it held a design contest for a sneaker for athletes with physical limitations. It also sells slip-on versions of its popular Metcon training shoe.
Nike's an investor in Kizik, a Utah company that makes slip-on sneakers and licenses its technology. The company announced a $20 million Series B round this year. Nike invested in its Series A round and licenses its technology. Kizik recently announced the opening of its first retail store and reported 270% annual sales growth.
"Slip-on sneakers are ready to make a comeback," according to a recent post about sneaker trends on Glam, a website covering beauty, lifestyle, and fashion.
The Jordan 23/7 line launches on January 16.