Software can easily take the goals of the problem-stiffness and lightness-and optimize for both, whereas a human would likely design by altering an existing shoe. Computational (aka generative, or algorithmic) designis an ideal way to create lighter, stronger structures. If the shoe is too heavy, it doesn't matter how stiff it is it's going to slow the athlete down.īedeviled by the tradeoff between weight and stiffness, Nike designers turned to computational design. The stiffer=faster equation breaks down when the benefits of a shoe's stiffness are outweighed by its. According to Bret Schoolmeester, innovation director at Nike Running, adding stiffness to something as featherlight as a pair of track spikes typically results in a heavier shoe. It’s also four times as stiff.īut stiffness isn't the only thing you have to consider when designing a track shoe. This plate is about half the weight-61 grams, down from 118-of the one on the Ja Fly 2, Nike’s last spike.
With the Zoom Superfly Elite, created with help from Jamaican track star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Nike says it’s done it. Before even the London Olympics, designers there have endeavored to create a track shoe with the lightest and stiffest spike plate ever made. These almost alien looks are the result of more than four years of algorithmic software design and 3-D printing prototyping, done in the Nike Sports Research Lab. The cells seem to shrink and swarm around the outsides and arch of the foot, and expand around the ball and heel areas. The webbed structure also defies any kind of grid or obvious unit of measurement. The Zoom Superfly Elite spike plate is all one piece the spikes aren’t screwed in, like they are with traditional sprinting shoes. It can shave a runner's 100-meter-dash time down by more than a tenth of a second-enough time to turn a fourth-place finisher into a gold medalist. The bizarre design looks like a piece of coral mated with a disco ball, but its performance benefits are incredible. It's metallic, bluish-purple, and sports an amorphous, latticed spike plate. It has a fast sleek design which will definitely catch the eyes of competitors.The spike plate on Nike’s Zoom Superfly Elite-one of Nike’s new track shoes for this summer’s Olympics-looks surprisingly glam-rock, for a piece of athletic wear. $150 is costly and one of the more expensive sprint spikes on the market, but I think the quality of the spike does justify the price and will not disappoint if you’re looking for one of the highest quality sprint spikes you can get.įor looks, I really enjoy this spike. Superfly Elite 2 is pricey but well worth it Laces: a cherry on top of the foot lockdownĪnother minor detail I enjoy is the notched laces which I feel adds that extra bit of effort to keep the lockdown well and the shoe tied. I also enjoyed the added support around the toe area for extra durability.
The only downside is that if you have a sensitive Achilles (which I do in my left foot), then that cushion strip could irritate it. The heel area has a comfortable heel cushioned strip which also cups the heel nicely and provides a good lockdown. I also enjoy the little detail of adding a tongue pull tab and a heel pull tab to help with the process of putting on the spike since it fits like a glove. It is very comfortable and provides a very much sock-like feeling. It is a Flyknit fabric that's steamed and stretched which ensures an extremely lightweight and very breathable upper. The upper of this spike uses Nikes Atomknit upper. This spike utilizes 8 removable stainless-steel pins to grip the track and ensure no slipping. Nike Zoom Superfly Elite 2 offers an excellent grip
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