Primeknit Vs Flyknit

2022 marks the anniversary of some of the most timeless shoes to grace the market: Nike’s AF1 (40th), AM97 (25th) and AM1 (35th). Hiding away in the peripheral though, is not only one of Nikes most recognisable creations, but also one of adidas’s - Flyknit & Primeknit.

These now under appreciated technical pieces of genius, celebrate their 10th birthday in 2022. Looking back, between the 2 behemoths, they have produced some of the most notable releases such as, the Ultraboost, NMD, Flyknit Racer, Flyknit Lunar and who can forget the Flyknit Chukka. It’s safe to say that the difference between the knitted constructions are slim, however the dispute it caused between the 2 brands was one of the biggest court cases opened within the industry.

Back in 2012, Nike announced their Flyknit technology in NYC. Upholding a message claiming to have produced a game changing product that will reshape the industry (and it did). Little did they know, there buddies in Germany, adidas, had been working on there own version ahead of their London Olympic campaign, launching the adiZERO Primeknit priced at £220, a few months after Nikes initial announcement. As Nike saw red, opening an almost instantaneous disputing against adidas. The European giants claimed to have been developing their Primeknit uppers for the last 3 years. (Which within the footwear design world, is not uncommon. - Just look at the Nike Air Mag)

Too much avail adidas trumped Nike by winning the first case. This brought a series of restrictions set upon adidas, being made to solely sell there latest Primeknit product with Germany, EXCLUSIVELY, for the first few month whilst Nike were able to get the first wider market release. This could have been due to Nike making the announcement of Flyknit first.

This case went on for some time, but during 2014, the EU & USA ruled out Nikes case against adidas on the grounds that they didn’t invent knitting as it is one of the worlds oldest forms of production. It goes without saying that both Flyknit & Primeknit have created a whole new wealth of design ideas, to the point where it has somewhat been forgotten in present day.