The new Nike backpack with easy opening was created to focus on accessibility.
Now accessible without the need to travel to Paris.
Nike has introduced its new Elite EasyOn backpack, designed with innovative features to ensure accessibility for a wide range of athletes, including those with dexterity or motor skill limitations. Although it was originally developed for athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, it is now available to everyone through the brand’s online store for a price of $150.
One of the most notable features of this backpack is its shell-style opening, which allows full access to the interior without needing to empty the backpack or search through its compartments. However, closing the large flap with a zipper required a continuous motion that could be complicated for some Paralympic athletes. "We frequently hear from adaptive athletes how difficult it was to open and close traditional backpacks without a high-dexterity anchor point like a hand," says Brent Radewald, senior equipment designer at Nike.
To address this challenge, shorter zippers have been implemented, featuring larger U-shaped pulls for easier grip. Additionally, the top flap is secured with magnets, allowing it to be opened with one hand. With a simple downward motion, the backpack can be fully opened without needing to touch the side zippers. To enhance the security of the contents and prevent the backpack from opening on its own, the flap can be fastened with a hook-and-loop system at the top. To facilitate usage, the interior lining of the backpack includes illustrated instructions.
Another important aspect of the Elite EasyOn backpack is its modular strap design. In addition to traditional double shoulder straps, it can be configured with a single strap that goes across the chest or with a pair of adjustable straps on the sides, allowing it to hang from the handles of a wheelchair. Nike has indicated that this modification responds to the needs expressed by a local wheelchair rugby team in Portland, who mentioned that, since their wheelchairs had non-standard width handles, they were unable to find compatible backpacks.