Tinker Hatfield's latest design, the Nike CruzrOne, is for athletes whose competitive mindset hasn’t changed even if their training goals and footwear preferences have. The idea was sparked October 16, 2018, when Tinker Hatfield and Phil Knight had a conversation that went something like this: Tinker: "You’re looking strong. I heard you’ve been walking eight miles a day." Phil: "Not true. I do not walk eight miles a day." Tinker: "Oh, I’m sorry — I must have misheard." Phil: "You must have. I don’t walk. I run! Just really, really slowly." This exchange inspired Hatfield to think about how athletes change over time: Still competitive, but channeling that spirit in new ways. Hatfield looked at the running shoes Knight and others were wearing for their slower “runs” (or “cruises," as Hatfield started calling them), and he noted that the foot moves differently at these slower speeds. Further, this athlete has different priorities...
