Nike 2020 Innovations Launch Recap - Amazing Skateboarding Jerseys, Controversial Running Shoes & Non-Template Football Kits
Feb 9, 2020, by Chris
On Wednesday, February 5 2020, Nike showcased its biggest innovations of 2020, ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It was the biggest launch by Nike since more than four years, when Nike presented its most innovative products for the 2016 Rio Olympics. We take a look at the biggest Nike 2020 Innovations, including four futuristic looking running shoes, awesome skateboarding jerseys as well as non-template, nevertheless cutting-edge Nike soccer kits (finally).
Nike 2020 Innovations
The Nike 2020 Innovations were made in advance of and for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The new footwear is designed to provide runners with a measurable performance benefit for a new era of competition. The NEXT% platform, introduced by barrier-breaking marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, will now expand into new disciplines following its unparalleled success in distance running.
Along the innovative footwear products, Nike also released progressive new collections featuring sustainable materials for all athletes. "Nike’s sustainable innovations signal the brand’s commitment to helping protect the future of the planet – and, consequently, the future of sport". Highlights include thiet most sustainably designed medal stand uniform in Team USA history, footwear built predominantly from recycled waste and lifestyle apparel that embraces the goal of a zero-carbon future.
“At Nike, we see sport’s greatest stage as our biggest opportunity to show the world what’s possible,” said NIKE, Inc. President and CEO John Donahoe. “After all, what’s at stake isn’t just records, but the future of sport itself. In Tokyo, we’ll help the world’s best reach new levels of performance with our revolutionary platform, while sharing real solutions for the barriers all athletes face under rapidly changing climate conditions.”
Nike Football 2020 Kits: Art + Science:
With the Football 2020 Kits, Nike says goodbye to standard templates, collars and boring patterns.
Nike Air Zoom Mercurial:
The Nike Air Zoom Mercurial, "a concept football boot", is Nike's first-ever soccer cleat with a Nike Flyprint upper. Flyprint is Nike’s first 3D-printed textile upper.
Nike Air Zoom Viperfly:
The Nike Air Zoom Viperfly is designed specifically for the 100 meter, the truest test of pure human speed. The spike incorporates an innovative new carbon plate — produced by a new process, Custom Fiber Placement (CFP), which allows for varying flexibility within the plate — and an unmistakable forefoot Nike Air Zoom unit.
Nike Air Zoom Victory:
The Nike Air Zoom Victory is designed for 800 meter to 10k races. The shoe is a complete paradigm shift in distance track spike design. Inspired by the Nike Alphafly NEXT%, the spike is built with a combination of Nike ZoomX foam, carbon fiber plate and Nike Air Zoom.
Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%:
Call it the ultimate test run: when Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour marathon barrier in Vienna this past October, he was wearing a prototype of the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%. In Summer 2020, Nike’s newest race-day shoe makes its official debut with two new Nike Air Zoom pods, additional foam, an updated carbon fiber plate and an ultra-breathable upper – all adding up to improved cushioning and running economy.
Nike Air Zoom BB NXT:
Nike Basketball's new Air Zoom BB NXT is engineered to be as light and responsive as possible. With a new Nike Air Zoom pod system, exposed Nike React foam and a thin plate positioned above the foam, the shoe provides athletes with lightweight strength, optimized impact protection and outstanding energy return.
Nike SB Skateboarding Kits + Other Federation Uniforms:
For skateboarding’s debut on this summer’s global stage, Nike SB will introduce kits on the forefront of sustainable design. Athletes representing Team USA, France and Brazil will compete in uniforms designed with 100% recycled polyester, pattern efficiency for minimal waste and bright, bold styling (crafted in collaboration with Dutch artist Parra) to celebrate each nation’s unique sport culture.
Space Hippie:
In addition to product developed for athletes participating in the Tokyo 2020 Games, Nike will launch this spring an exploratory footwear collection that redefines what’s possible with sustainable product design. Space Hippie is constructed by transforming scrap material from factory floors – what Nike’s design teams have called “space junk” – into a radical expression of circular design. Every detail of the Space Hippie capsule collection, from material choices to methods of make to packaging, was chosen with consideration for its environmental impact, adding up to Nike’s lowest carbon footprint footwear.
Team USA Medal Stand Collection:
This summer, Team USA will prove the power of sustainability during medal ceremonies. In Tokyo, U.S. medalists will take the podium in iconic Windrunner jackets reengineered with 100% recycled polyester, pants featuring 100% recycled nylon and recycled-rubber Nike Grind trim and the Nike Air VaporMax 2020, constructed with recycled manufacturing material and precision-knit uppers for minimal waste.
All the products showcased at the Nike 2020 Innovations summit will go on sale in Spring 2020.
What do you think of Nike's innovations for 2020? Which product do you like most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
AS Nancy-Lorraine 2026-27 Home Kit Released
French club AS Nancy-Lorraine has officially unveiled its new 2026-27 home kit, made by Decathlon. Drawing inspiration from the club's history, the design pays homage to their 1980s shirts as well as the 2015-16 Ligue 1 promotion kit. The launch is accompanied by the club's slogan, "Chaque maillot a une histoire, la nôtre continue ensemble," emphasizing their traditional red and white identity.
Fans looking to purchase the new AS Nancy-Lorraine 2026-27 home shirt can do so starting at 9 AM on July 5, 2026.
Polonia Warszawa 2026-27 Home Kit Released
The new Polonia Warszawa home shirt for the 2026-27 season was officially released yesterday. Made by Adidas, the kit will be worn in the upcoming Polish I liga campaign.
The Adidas Polonia Warszawa 2026-27 home jersey stays true to the club's famous "Czarnych Koszul" (Black Shirts) nickname, honoring their 115-year tradition. It features a classic black base combined with modern Adidas design elements, created with the intention of being worn by fans every day, not just on matchdays.
The Adidas Polonia Warszawa 2026-27 home football shirt is available to buy via the club's official online store.
Puma Ultraweave Kits Continue to Tear at 2026 World Cup
During the 2026 World Cup, Puma kits have become a major talking point due to a series of high-profile tearing incidents. Across the first four rounds of the tournament, six different shirts have ripped during matches. Players from the Czech Republic, Paraguay, Egypt, and Morocco have all experienced torn jerseys following physical challenges and shirt-pulling on the pitch. Notably, kits from other manufacturers have not suffered from similar durability issues during the competition. Big thanks to @jerseystory_vn.
The root of the problem lies in the construction of the Puma Ultraweave fabric. Designed to be incredibly lightweight at just 72 grams, the material features a four-way stretch recycled polyester blend. While the brand states this ultra-light design was driven by player feedback to reduce weight and drag, the extremely thin fabric has proven highly vulnerable to tearing under the stress of grabbing and pulling in a high-contact sport.
With the knockout stages underway, the durability of the Puma kits remains a concern. Several Puma-sponsored nations are still competing in the tournament, including Austria, Ivory Coast, the Netherlands, Portugal, Senegal, and Switzerland. As the stakes get higher and matches become more physical, fans and kit enthusiasts will be watching to see if the Ultraweave fabric can hold up to the pressure of international football.
Machida Zelvia 2026-27 Home, Away & Goalkeeper Kits Released
The new Machida Zelvia home, away and goalkeeper shirts for the 2026-27 season have been released. Made by Adidas, the new kits will be worn in the upcoming J1 League campaign, which marks the league's transition to an autumn-spring calendar.
The Adidas Machida Zelvia 2026-27 home shirt features a deep blue base, highlighted by a geometric 'Pulse of Machida' graphic across the front. Gold accents on the collar, the signature Adidas Three Stripes, and the sponsor logos, including main sponsor CyberAgent, complete the design.
The Adidas Machida Zelvia 2026-27 away and goalkeeper kits have also been unveiled, rounding out the club's collection for the new season. The 2026-27 home kit is currently available to purchase for club members.
V-Varen Nagasaki 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
V-Varen Nagasaki have officially unveiled their new home and away kits for the 2026-27 season. Made by Fanatics, the new shirts will be worn in the upcoming J1 League campaign, marking the Japanese top flight's transition to a new fall-spring calendar.
The Fanatics V-Varen Nagasaki 2026-27 home shirt features a bespoke design in the club's traditional colors. The away shirt offers a clean contrasting look, while the goalkeeper kits round off the collection with their own distinct colorways. All shirts carry the Fanatics logo on the right chest alongside the V-Varen Nagasaki crest on the left.
The Fanatics V-Varen Nagasaki 2026-27 home and away kits are available to purchase via the club's official online store.
Cancún FC 26-27 'Dark Cenote' Special Kit Released
Mexican club Cancún FC has unveiled its new 2026-27 'Dark Cenote' special kit, made by Adidas. This release serves as a dark counterpart to the club's recently announced 'Cenote' third kit and made its on-pitch debut on July 3, 2026.
The Adidas Cancún FC 2026-27 'Dark Cenote' special jersey features a predominantly dark base design. It pays homage to the state of Quintana Roo and the natural network of cenotes that have united the Mexican Caribbean for thousands of years. The dark color scheme offers a contrasting alternative to the lighter standard third shirt while maintaining the same thematic inspiration.
The Adidas Cancún FC 2026-27 'Dark Cenote' special kit is available to purchase through the club's official physical and online stores. It is a limited edition release and will only be available until current stock runs out.
Newport County 26-27 Home Kit Released
The new Newport County 2026-27 home kit was officially released. It is made by VX3 and will be worn in the upcoming League Two campaign.
The VX3 Newport County 2026-27 home shirt features the club's traditional amber base color, paired with black detailing. As a tribute to the club's history and identity, the design incorporates the names of all 25 hall of fame members, which are woven into the amber fabric of the shirt.
Newport Galvanizers will feature as the official sleeve sponsor for the home shirt during the 2026-27 season. The VX3 Newport County 2026-27 home jersey is currently available for pre-order.
Official: Le Havre Announces Hummel Kit Deal - No More Umbro
French club Le Havre AC has officially announced Hummel as its new kit supplier, starting from the 2026-27 season. This confirms previous reports of the club ending its short-lived partnership with Umbro after just one season.
The official announcement emphasizes the fusion of both brands' rich histories and a deep respect for Le Havre's traditional sky blue and navy colors. Hummel takes over following the bankruptcy of Umbro's French distributor, Royer, which caused significant delivery issues during the previous campaign.
Fans have shared their excitement for the new partnership across social media, anticipating stylish designs that honor the club's heritage. The first Hummel Le Havre kits for the 2026-27 season are expected to be unveiled shortly.
Nike Mamba FC Barcelona 26-27 Away Kit Leaked + Shorts
Footy Headlines can now leak the new official pictures of the Mamba Barcelona 26-27 away kit, including shorts.
The Nike Mamba FC Barcelona 2026-27 away jersey features a purple and black gradient base with gold/iridescent logos and applications.
The kit features the famous quote: “Leave the game better than you found it” inside the collar.