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Nike Donates 30,000 Pairs of Shoes to Hospital Staff Fighting COVID-19

By Emma Taggart on May 11, 2020

Athletes have long been seen as heroes, but now sportswear brand Nike is recognizing a different kind of hero—frontline healthcare workers combating COVID-19. Hospital staff are showing their mental resilience every day, as well as their physical fitness. That’s why Nike has partnered with nonprofit organization Good360 to donate more than 140,000 pieces of footwear, apparel, and equipment to hospital staff across the U.S. and Europe.

Nike is donating 30,000 pairs of Nike Air Zoom Pulse to hospitals in Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, and New York City. An additional 2,500 pairs are being donated to hospitals across Europe, including Barcelona, Berlin, London, Milan, Paris, and Belgium. Released in November 2019, the shoe is specifically designed for everyday heroes in hospitals. It’s easy to get on and off quickly, it’s easy to clean, and it’s comfortable enough to wear over long periods of time. The soft, snug fit, cushioning, and tracking systems also allow enough support for hurried movements in emergency situations. Good360 will also deliver around 95,000 pairs of soccer socks (that offer mild compression) to healthcare workers in Los Angeles and New York City.

“I never in a million years would have dreamed that I would have an opportunity to work with designers and engineers in this way.” says Dr. Miko Enomoto, Anesthesiologist at Oregon Health & Science University. “They brought in prototypes for my colleagues and I to try on to make sure that they fit and functioned properly. And it was just incredible, the energy that they brought—at one point, I met with them three times over one weekend.”

As well as footwear, Nike has committed more than $25 million towards helping hospital staff do their job during the COVID-19 crisis. The company previously donated full-face shields and air-purifying respirator (PAPR) lenses to help protect healthcare workers against the virus.

Find out more about Nike's generous efforts here, where you can also watch a video of famous athletes who are joining the brand to thank our hospital heroes.