Nike's new responsive Joyride sneakers feel like 'running on bubbles'

Dalvin Brown

Nike's latest shoe innovation wants to put more bounce in your step.

On Monday, the athletic sportswear company unveiled its new sneakers called the Joyride Run Flyknit, and while it looks like any other running shoe from certain angles, the cushioned soles are embedded with something totally new.

The Joyride houses responsive pods that each contain thousands of tiny red and blue beads that look a lot like the frozen dessert Dippin' Dots. The pods are separated into sections of the sole that allow them to expand multidirectionally as you walk or run, which Nike calls multidimensional displacement.

This arrangement is supposed to create a more personalized and unique experience for each runner, according to the sportswear brand.

The new cushioning platform will be expanded into other styles of shoes including the women's-exclusive Nike Joyride NSW Optik and the Nike Joyride Kids Nova, engineered for young athletes.

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Pockets on the bottom of Nike's Joyride sneakers contain thousands of tiny beads that form to your foot.
Pockets on the bottom of Nike's Joyride sneakers contain thousands of tiny beads that form to your foot.

"Joyride is engineered to help keep legs fresh," Nike said in a news release. The company said the shoe's "unique sensation is almost like running on bubbles" as the shoes offer "great impact absorption in a surprisingly light, energy-returning package."

The beads are made of a proprietary plastic and rubber mixture, Nike says.

The $180 shoes are available today if you are a Nike Member, otherwise, you can snag a pair on Aug. 15.

This year, Nike added a feature to its app that lets you scan your feet using your smartphone camera to determine what size shoe will be the perfect fit. Aptly titled Nike Fit, the AR tool seeks to replace the steel measurement device that you find under the seats at your local shoe store.

And just last month, the company diversified the stature of the mannequins in some of its stores to in a bid to "celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of the sport."

Follow Dalvin Brown on Twitter: @Dalvin_Brown.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nike unveils Joyride shoes with tiny beads to personalize runs