Since making his debut on Instagram this past summer, renowned Nike sneaker designer Aaron Cooper has been dropping intriguing insights and untold stories within the sneaker ecosystem. Offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Nike's innovative design process, Cooper recently shared sketched imagery and background details on a groundbreaking tooling concept designed to provide post-practice and competition relief for athletes.
The concept behind this innovation revolved around the creation of a "performance sock," designed for athletes to wear before and after workouts, ultimately aiding in faster recovery. Adding a unique feature, a detachable underfoot protection system allowed athletes to seamlessly transition between practice and games by slipping into an EVA-injected slide. The upper, crafted like a sock-like bootie with a cut-and-sew construction, boasted a screened traction pattern reminiscent of the iconic Air Presto.
Despite its innovative design, the model never saw a commercial release. Cooper noted that athletes generally preferred wearing slides with the socks they had just performed in, contributing to the Cool Out's shelving. However, the distinct footbridge detailing of the Cool Out would later influence the upper design of the Nike Shox Stunner in 2002. Interestingly, Cooper's slip-in concept has resurfaced in recent times, finding adaptation by Jordan Brand and Converse.
Get an exclusive detailed look at the unreleased Nike Cool Out below as we eagerly anticipate more captivating insights and archival stories from the legendary sneaker designer Aaron Cooper. Stay tuned for further revelations from the mind behind some of Nike's most iconic designs.
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