NIKE LAVA WALKER
Reimagining the Nike ACG Phassad, this concept transforms the iconic model into the ultimate trail shoe for lava fields. Designed for extreme environments, it’s built to handle the heat and unpredictability of volcanic landscapes, combining rugged durability with cutting-edge style. Whether you're trekking across molten rock or navigating the most unforgiving terrains, this Phassad rework ensures you’re equipped for all your volcanic adventures.
Design Goal : Creating a trail sneaker inspired by magma for walking on cooled lava terrain
The lava trails terrain is rugged, uneven, and filled with various textures from rough, jagged rocks to smoother, rippled areas. You’ll see twisted formations where the lava once flowed like a river, now solidified into frozen waves or delicate, lace-like patterns where the lava cooled quickly.
Steam rises from cracks where the ground remains warm, and the air can feel dense and slightly sulfurous. Good footwear and cautious steps are essential, as sharp rocks and loose ground can be challenging to traverse.
NIKE ACG PHASSAD
The Nike Phassad was an ACG (All Condition Gear) model released in 2002 designed by Scott Portzline. The Phassad was designed for outdoor and rugged environments, combining durability with technical design. The outsole has deep lugs for superior grip on various terrains, like dirt, mud, and gravel. It was a versatile shoe, designed to handle rough terrain while also being wearable in everyday situations, much like many of the other ACG models from that era.
WHY THIS MODEL?
The Nike Phassad is perfect for walking on trials the large lugs allow the user to be elevated from the hot terrain as well as provide proper traction for the various rugged surfaces that they can encounter.
This model provides a great canvas for durable materials and reinforced sections that can withstand rough, jagged surfaces like those found on cooled lava trails. The multi-directional tread pattern ensures a solid grip, whether you’re stepping on slick surfaces or loose gravel, which is important for maintaining balance on lava trails.
The Phassad has cushioning elements in the midsole that provide comfort and impact absorption, reducing the strain on your feet and legs during longer hikes or treks on rocky ground.
MATERIAL BREAKDOWN
All of these materials are heat resistant to protect the wearer in these extreme conditions. Many new types materials were chosen to give the elevated feel that is evokative of the Nike ACG program. Comfort and sleekness are still factors in the material choices, which is why the midsole is eva for comfort and the quarter is a net fabric for breathability.
PIÑATEX LEATHER
Piñatex leather is a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to traditional leather, crafted from cellulose fibers extracted from pineapple leaves. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it also offers exceptional heat resistance, making it an ideal material for durable, high-performance sneakers. With its unique combination of strength, sustainability, and style, Piñatex provides a smart, ethical alternative to conventional leather.
NOMEX RIP-STOP WOVEN FABRIC
This fabric is perfect for sneaker uppers, offering exceptional durability and protection. Made with 60% Kevlar, it adds strength to your footwear, making it resistant to wear and tear. With its lightweight, flame-resistant properties, this fabric enhances both performance and safety, making it an ideal choice for high-performance sneakers that need to stand up to tough conditions.
Abrasion-resistant fabrics are engineered to withstand wear, scratches, and harsh conditions, making them perfect for high-performance sneakers. Designed to resist extreme weather, erosion, and damage, these materials enhance the durability and longevity of your footwear. Ideal for active lifestyles, they offer superior protection against everyday wear while maintaining a sleek, stylish look.
COLOR EXPLORATION
These colorways draws color from the dramatic transformation of magma cooling into lava, capturing the essence of fiery chaos and solid rebirth. The upper features a mix of flame-like layers in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, representing the molten magma in its most intense, active state. As the shoe transitions toward the midsole, the colors deepen into rich, earth-toned shades of dark brown and smoldering charcoal, symbolizing the cooling process and the formation of solidified lava rock. The outsole, with a textured, rugged finish, mirrors the jagged surface of hardened lava, offering both durability and grip.
Magma
Pahoehoe
Lava
Volcanic Rocks
Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock, there are two different types of igneous rock - Extrusive & Intrusive. The main difference being extrusive is formed above ground and intrusive formed undergound. These two types of rock can form various textures and color.
PERIDOTITE
RHYOLITE
PEGMATITE
BASALTIC
DIORITE
These color ways are inspired by the various types of igneous rock that are formed over thousands of years by the molten magma. It's fascinating how lava, in its journey from liquid to solid, can create such a wide spectrum of hues—from deep blacks and fiery reds to rich grays and speckled earth tones. The intention behind these sneakers is to wear them on the lava trail, taking the very essence of these ancient rocks back to their birthplace—where the earth's molten core first gave rise to these geological wonders. Whether traversing volcanic fields or urban landscapes, these sneakers embody the connection between creation and nature’s most powerful forces, turning the trail into a journey through the raw beauty of the earth itself.
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