The Nike Designer of the Yeezy II Wants to Make Training Sneakers Wearable Again

The designer of the Nike Air Yeezy II spoke with Sneaker News and said he wants to make training sneakers wearable again.

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Complex Original

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The advancements in Nike Running prove that it's possible to create a product that not only performs well, but also looks good. These days, it seems sneakerheads lace up a pair of Flyknit and Lunarlon-equipped sneakers for both casual activities and a strenuous workout.

This is what Nathan VanHook is trying to achieve as a design director for the Nike Training category. The man who most sneakerheads associate with the design of Kanye's Air Yeezy II moved from Sportswear to Training to take on the new challenge. 

"What my team is aiming to do is to bring this performance and innovation with great wearability," Van Hook told Sneaker News, while discussing his latest creation, the Nike Lunar TR1.

"I think you’ll see some really amazing shoes coming out throughout the next few seasons. The goal is to really look at a shoe and be wowed by it, but you can totally train in it or wear it casually, like you with Flyknits."

If Van Hook and his team can replicate the success that Nike Running has had with Flyknit and are able to create a disruptive collection of wearable trainers, expect this to be one huge shift in sneaker culture.

[via Sneaker News]