When Nike introduced the Go FlyEase in February, it insisted the handsfree shoe—designed with the brand’s adaptive athlete in mind—was for everyone, from the “student racing to class” to the “parent with their hands full.”
Casting that broad of a net, though seen by some as a way to help normalize accessible fashion and eventually increase availability, appears to have generated too much attention and interest in the shoe. After a limited release, the shoe is now available exclusively on resale sites, where it is going for prices well above retail.
A video criticizing the current situation went viral on social media earlier this month. Created by 19-year-old TikTok creator and disability advocate Louie Lingard, the video has since garnered more than 1.1 million views and received more than 335,000 likes on the social media platform. A tweet sharing the video on Twitter has garnered a further 5.8 million views.
Nike Go FlyEase
“If someone with a disability that actually needs the shoe for the designed purpose wants it, they’re going to have to pay on the up end of $500 to get it,” Lingard said. “Talk about accessibility, am I right?”
Though “the up end of $500” represents the more expensive extreme of the shoes currently on the market, resellers have consistently sold the Nike Go FlyEase for two to three times its retail price of $120. On StockX, for example, the shoes’ three colorways boast an average sale price of $286, $294 and $308. According to the resale site’s data, these three versions of the shoe have been sold 1,890 times.
“It’s equal parts Nike’s fault for not making the shoe more accessible for people with disabilities,” Lingard said in a follow-up video. “I’m not saying that resellers are innocent because they are far from innocent in this situation, but Nike could do more and could do better if they actually want the shoe to be accessible for people with disabilities.”
If Nike wants to get the shoes into the hands of those who would benefit most, Lingard suggested the company instead manufacture pairs specifically for hospitals and other places that work with people with disabilities.
When asked for comment, Nike said the response to the Go FlyEase was “incredibly positive,” but that “due to the overwhelming demand, we are unable to serve all of our members at this time.” As it has noted before, it said that more units and additional colorways will become available later this year.
The Link LonkMay 14, 2021 at 08:00PM
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TikTok Video Criticizing Nike's Rollout of the Go FlyEase Goes Viral - Sourcing Journal
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