Did Nike Take Inspiration From India? New Shoe Design Sparks Debate

Nike’s newly launched neuroscience-inspired footwear has ignited an intense debate online, with many questioning whether the global sportswear giant drew inspiration from traditional Indian acupressure footwear. While Nike promotes the shoes as science-backed and innovation-driven, critics argue that the design closely resembles concepts long present in India’s wellness culture.

What Are Nike’s New Neuroscience Shoes?
Nike recently unveiled shoes designed to stimulate pressure points on the feet, claiming they enhance balance, posture, and neural feedback. According to the company, the footwear is based on neuroscience research suggesting that targeted foot stimulation can influence movement efficiency and sensory awareness.

Nike positions the shoes as a fusion of athletic performance and brain-body connection, emphasizing modern research, advanced materials, and biomechanical testing.

Why the Originality Debate Started
Soon after the launch, social media users and wellness experts pointed out striking similarities between Nike’s design and Indian acupressure footwear, which has been used for decades in traditional health practices. These Indian sandals typically feature raised nodules placed under specific pressure points believed to correspond to organs and neural pathways.

Critics argue that the concept of stimulating the nervous system through the feet is not new and has deep roots in Indian alternative medicine.

Understanding Indian Acupressure Footwear
Traditional Indian acupressure chappals are designed to apply pressure to reflex points on the soles. Practitioners believe this helps improve blood circulation, reduce stress, and support overall health. These sandals are widely available across India and are often marketed as affordable wellness products rather than performance gear.

The resemblance lies in:

Raised pressure nodes under the foot
Claims of neural or reflex stimulation
Focus on posture, balance, and comfort
Nike’s Defense: Science, Not Tradition
Nike has not directly referenced Indian practices in its marketing. Instead, the brand frames the shoes as a result of neuroscience research, athlete testing, and modern design engineering. Supporters of Nike argue that similar ideas can emerge independently when science and design intersect.

They also point out that Nike’s footwear targets athletic performance, while traditional acupressure footwear is aimed at general wellness.

Cultural Inspiration or Commercial Appropriation?
The debate highlights a broader issue: when does inspiration cross into appropriation? Some critics say global brands often repackage traditional knowledge with modern branding, gaining commercial success without acknowledging cultural origins.

Others argue that innovation builds on shared human understanding and that not every similarity implies copying.

Legal and Ethical Questions
From a legal standpoint, traditional designs are often not patented, making it difficult to claim ownership. Ethically, however, experts say acknowledging cultural inspiration fosters transparency and respect.
What This Debate Reveals
The controversy reflects growing awareness around cultural credit in global innovation. Consumers today are more informed and increasingly question where ideas come from, especially when ancient practices appear rebranded as modern breakthroughs.
The Takeaway
Nike’s neuroscience shoes may be rooted in modern research, but their resemblance to Indian acupressure footwear has reopened discussions about originality, cultural influence, and recognition. Whether coincidence or inspiration, the debate underscores how traditional knowledge continues to intersect with contemporary design — and why transparency matters more than ever in global branding.