Nike Mind 001 Slide 'Black Chrome': The Story Behind the Pair

The Nike Mind 001 is a slip-on mule from Nike’s Mind Science Department, designed for before and after competition and built around 22 independent foam nodes that move against the foot with every step. Nike says the design is meant to sharpen focus and help athletes feel present. The Black Chrome pair puts that idea into a pared-back, all-black colourway.

The Nike Mind 001 Slide 'Black Chrome' sits in the Nike Mind range at PUSHAS, next to the other Mind 001 and Mind 002 colourways. It is the version for anyone who wants the technology without the colour noise: black from top to toe until you turn it over.

The idea behind Nike Mind

Nike unveiled the Mind 001 and the laced Mind 002 together on 23 October 2025, and both arrived in January 2026. They are the first products from the Mind Science Department, which works inside the Nike Sport Research Lab. Nike says the platform took more than a decade to develop, with hundreds of athletes testing it over five years.

The pitch is unusual for a shoe. Nike says the footwear is “scientifically shown to activate key sensory areas of the brain via underfoot stimulation”, and that heightened sensory awareness can help clear away distractions. Eric Avar, Nike’s VP and Creative Director of Innovation, called it “a new sensory-footwear concept that helps reawaken the foot, the body and the mind.” Erling Haaland was among the first athletes to trial the shoe. Those are Nike’s claims rather than independent findings, but they explain why the Mind 001 looks so different from a standard slide.

Nodes, foam and the sole

Everything starts underfoot. Each shoe carries 22 independent foam nodes bonded to a flexible, water-resistant material. Nike says the nodes act as pistons and gimbals as you move, passing the feel and texture of the ground up to the foot instead of muffling it.

The rest of the build supports that motion. Nike says soft foam in the midsole adds cushioning, stretchy fabric on the footbed gives the nodes room to move, rubber pods near the toe and heel add traction, and the knit tongue is perforated for breathability. The easy-on, easy-off mule shape is the point of the 001: Nike positions it for the moments before and after a session, while the Mind 002 is the laced option, which Nike says anchors the foot to the footbed.

The Black Chrome colourway

Nike lists this pair as Black/Hyper Crimson/White/Chrome, with the style codes HQ4307-001 and HQ4309-001. In the PUSHAS house photos it reads as an all-black, matte slide. The upper has a textured finish, and a small metallic silver Swoosh on the side is the only flash of light from above.

Flip it over and the story changes. The black sole shows rows of orange nodes across the underside, so the orange shows only when the sole lifts. Black also has history on this silhouette: Hiroshi Fujiwara’s fragment Concept Testing version of the Mind 001, released globally on 19 March 2026, used black with blue accents.

How it wears and how to style it

For fit, see the size guide linked below. Men’s and women’s sizing are listed separately.

On styling, the all-black finish keeps the Mind 001 easy to pair. Try it with black or charcoal fleece and a plain tee for a warm-up or travel look. It also works with wide-leg nylon trousers and a technical shell, where the matte upper suits the fabric. With shorts in warmer weather, the orange nodes give a flash of colour as you walk without taking over the outfit.

Who it is built for

If you want	Built for	Wear it with
A before-and-after shoe with a clear idea behind it	Athletes who want a slip-on for before and after a session	Black fleece and a plain tee
The Nike Mind tech in all black	Collectors who prefer black over bright colourways	Wide-leg nylon trousers and a shell
An easy-on shoe for travel and downtime	Anyone who wants slip-on convenience with real underfoot feel	Shorts and a heavyweight tee

Live now at PUSHAS

Stock as of 14 October 2026. Men's sizes US M4 and US M6 to US M14 are live, and the women's listing runs US W5 to W15. Every pair is authenticated by hand, so you can shop with confidence. The live listing shows the current price. Shop the Nike Mind 001 Slide 'Black Chrome', or go to the women’s Black Chrome listing for women’s sizing.

Before choosing a size, read the Nike Mind 001 Slide size guide. For the laced side of the platform, see our Nike Mind 002 'Light Smoke Grey' story.

FAQ

Is the Nike Mind 001 true to size?

For fit, see the PUSHAS Nike Mind 001 Slide size guide before choosing. Men’s and women’s sizing are listed separately.

When did the Nike Mind 001 release?

Nike unveiled the Mind 001 alongside the Mind 002 on 23 October 2025 and launched it in January 2026. The black pair carries the style codes HQ4307-001 and HQ4309-001.

Why is it called Nike Mind?

Nike Mind is the first platform from Nike’s Mind Science Department, part of the Nike Sport Research Lab. Nike says the footwear is built to activate sensory areas of the brain through underfoot stimulation.

What is the Nike Mind 001 made of?

The sole carries 22 independent foam nodes bonded to a flexible, water-resistant material, and, according to Nike, a soft foam midsole, a stretchy fabric footbed, a perforated knit tongue and rubber pods near the toe and heel.

What colour is the Nike Mind 001 Black Chrome?

Nike lists the colourway as Black/Hyper Crimson/White/Chrome. The pair is all-black and matte with a textured upper, a small metallic silver Swoosh on the side and rows of orange nodes on the underside.