Which Nike product was inspired by a waffle iron?

Nike’s waffle trainer was inspired by a waffle iron.

Bill Bowerman developed the idea after looking at a household waffle iron and considering how a similar pattern might create traction under a running shoe. Instead of pouring batter into the iron, he experimented with rubber to form a raised, grippy sole.

The resulting waffle sole became one of Bowerman’s best-known innovations. It provided traction while remaining relatively light, making it useful for runners on track and road surfaces. The design was incorporated into Nike’s early waffle running shoes and helped establish the company’s reputation for performance-focused experimentation.

The waffle pattern is often remembered as a complete shoe model, but the important invention was the sole construction. Later Nike products used related waffle designs, while the underlying idea became part of the company’s broader history of technical footwear development.