Presto on the go

That cool new beat in your head, the surprise of chalk art on the sidewalk, that feeling you get after mastering a new yoga position — that’s Presto. Nike’s new Presto line is more than just footwear and equipment. It’s a point of view shared by consumers for whom movement, music, art and style is a way of life.

"Presto is about distilling a product down to its simplest, purest form and eliminating any unnecessary adornments. It’s about celebrating the individual who embraces life, lives to be in motion, and radiates confidence," explains Presto creative director Paul Tew.

"Presto is all about our consumer," continues Tew. "You don’t wear Presto to look cool. On the contrary — Presto conforms to you. You’re cool; you know how you are. Your personality is reflected in the product rather than the reverse."

Presto began as a whim in Nike’s design studio. The premise was simple. Create a shoe with no laces, made so that it could be easily slipped on. "At first, people thought the shoe was a bit crazy," laughs Tinker Hatfield, VP of special products for Nike. "But once they put it on and realized it was a great performance shoe, we knew we were on to something. It was instantaneous — literally, Presto — and that’s how the name was born."

With the materials and colors, the design of each Presto product reflects an understanding of a dynamic way of life. Presto bags and backpacks mold to whatever is in them — because some days there’s more stuff to carry than others. In the case of the Taco BP, the added features of a cell phone pocket, a zippered exterior pocket, and a key lanyard offer enhanced accessibility to the things one uses most, while compression-molded foam protects those contents that need a little more protection.

The design of the Air Presto Footent, another signature Presto item, offers an alternative to the look of the typical running shoe. The Footent features a micro-mesh "tent" that covers the shoe’s laces, giving it a sleek, simple profile that also provides protection without added weight. Another Presto running shoe — the Air Presto Zip — explores a fun alternative to the traditional lace-up with a zipper front that provides extra protection and a snug fit for people on the go. The Air Presto Gym, a training shoe, provides lateral stability through a functional yet fashionable band across the outside forefoot. The simple band has become the icon of the shoe, instantly identifying its function and making a bold statement of simplicity, one of the key elements of Presto.

And while they were rethinking everything, the Presto designers decided to rethink accessories as well. The Presto Cee watch bucks the more-is-more watch functionality trend, pared down to the basics. Meant to be slipped on like a Presto shoe, the Presto Cee — named for its C-shape— even lacks a traditional strap and buckle, designed instead like a bracelet so that it can be slipped effortlessly yet securely onto one’s wrist. The hard nylon watchbands come in a variety of translucent Presto colors that link the timepieces to the footwear and gear in the line.

From sleek, accessible carry gear to streamlined watches and footwear, Presto leaves you free to be you. Free to go where you want, how you want, when you want. Instant go!