[NormsRevenge]

Sam McCracken, manager of Nike's Native American business program, shows the new Nike Air Native N7 shoe at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007. Nike unveiled the new shoe Tuesday, the first-of-a-kind performance shoe designed to address the specific fit and width requirements for the Native American foot.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

[NormsRevenge]

Nike designers and researchers looked at the feet of more than 200 people from more than 70 tribes nationwide and found that in general, American Indians have a much wider and taller foot than the average shoe accommodates. The average shoe width of men and women measured was three width sizes larger than the standard Nike shoe.

As a result, the Air Native is wider with a larger toe box. The shoe has fewer seams for irritation and a thicker sock liner for comfort.

—

Can I get it w/ velcro straps?

[kinoxi]

You stupid heathens need our interference.

[miliantnutcase]

What about making a proper fitting shoe for my giant scandinavian foot?

[Enterprise]

Let me guess - they call it the “Running Bull” edition.

[gotribe]

They’ll make a lot of money on these for kids with wide feet.

[ken21]

gosh, i had a pair of new balance shoes that i had to return because the show rubbed against my left big toe.

my mother’s 3/4 american indian.

seriesly, i don’t think ethnicity has a bit to do with shoe sizes.

[Dick Vomer]

gee, everybody knows that Nike shoes fit narrow.

That's why God invented New Balance....

[Mr. Blonde]

Interesting idea. Good PR move as well.

It is interesting how much people from so many tribes have similar feet. It makes me wonder how many people in the general population are walking around with poor fitting shoes.

[fortunecookie]

The average shoe width of men and women measured was three width sizes larger than the standard Nike shoe.

New Balance has a similar size range for a 'high volume' foot. I have a hard to fit foot, wide with a narrow heel and a high arch and instep, sigh, I love shoe shopping, but find so few to fit well. I wonder if they will eventually add more size choices for the non-Native American...

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Wow, what a market niche to exploit. I wonder if this will offset the use of child labor in Asian markets?

[Aria]

I work for Nike at the world headquarters. Very cool company, incredible campus, you can wear really casual clothes - within reason i.e. no sweats - and lots of energy.

[A_perfect_lady]

I’ve heard that Hawaiians also have feet that are broader across the joints, and I’ve seen at least one that certainly did have unusually-shaped feet.

[tubebender]

Any truth to this for the local tribes here in Humboldt county FH. My late BiL wore those old B/W high top “tennis shoes” for years. He was 1/4 Kurok ...

[null and void]

Anybody remember “Americathon”?

[martin_fierro]

[martin_fierro]

"That's it! Some spiffy new shoes, and we'll be able to really fix things up around here."

[familyop]

"with a larger fit for the distinct foot shape of American Indians,..."

...ball of the foot (front part, just behind the toes) is often wider, and the arch is often higher. Those shoes should be sold everywhere in the USA, IMO. :-)

[A knight without armor]

Sounds comfy. I’d like a pair.

[Yardstick]

Feather designs adorn the inside and stars are on the sole to represent the night sky.

Wait, isn't this insensitive cultural profiling? And aren't these symbols a bit dated? Why not acknowledge tribal modernity with a roulette wheel or blackjack table motif?

[Theo]

Cool! Nothing wrong with identifying characteristics of different ethnic groups and creating products specifically for them. Go for it, Nike!