The Controversy Behind Nike’s Vaporfly Running Shoe, Explained | WSJ

Nike’s Vaporfly shoes have become a popular choice for both elite and amateur runners.
But the shoes may soon be banned in professional competitions if World Athletics, the world governing body of track and field, decides they offer an unfair advantage.
Photo/Video: Alexander Hotz/The Wall Street Journal
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#WSJ #Nike #Vaporfly

[@KolMan2000]

“We want better shoes for running” *Nike makes better shoes for running* “Wait no that’s illegal”

[@harumurasaki6615]

exactly. absurd much ain't it? eeesh

[@neolexiousneolexian6079]

I got rollerskates- I mean shoes with wheels under them! Run twice as fast!

[@GratiaCountryman]

The problem is that you can’t have a situation where some people have the shoes and others don’t. The race is supposed to be about a competition of runners, not shoes.

[@Albus_Rex]

@@GratiaCountryman Buy the shoes then. Simple as.

[@stephenwgreen78]

@@Albus_Rex or just have Nike provide every runner in the Olympics with free shoes...best advertising ever

[@thendomudau8778]

Imagine making a shoe so good it's considered cheating.

[@anomad6314]

carbon plate acts like a spring.... so all the records obtained with vapourfly should really be wiped.

[@thendomudau8778]

@@anomad6314 so is the shoe not good? 😂

[@iggymiranda1797]

@@anomad6314 shut up you Adidas shill

[@GhostSamaritan]

@@anomad6314 Or maybe other brands should step their game up?

[@batorsagandszerelem4474]

I don't get the problem. If the vaporfly gives unfair advantage, then make all the runners wear vaporfly, so the playing field is even again. I think a shoe that can actually make you run faster is cool.

[@nachot6592]

I disagree with the limitations. EVERY SINGLE running shoe, before and after the vaporflies, from one or two centuries ago, you name it, has been designed to offer an advantage; to improve our running prowess. The vaporflies just happen to be the first to manage to give such a performance boost but they will not be the only ones to achieve it. This is just the beginning.

[@krazed0451]

They put a literal leaf spring in them...

[@jasoncox9256]

Agreed. Anything beyond bare feet is technically a mechanical advantage. As Nike said, the shoe does not input more energy into the system, it makes more efficient use of existing energy.

[@livelaughlucass]

what leaf spring

[@StarComet7]

i run at a national level, and if shoes goes to a certain level it will be an equipment sport and just be a money sport.

[@definitefenrir6598]

@@StarComet7 It already is all about money maybe not to most of the athletes who put in the work but to everyone else sports are nothing but money, It hasn't been about pushing what is humanly possible for long time.

[@lukedavis5411]

“Why are they illegal?” “You run good in them”

[@user-oz5xb9ed3w]

well, you have to be able to run good in the first place. not like these are gonna make a slow person win

[@wheninthecourseofhuma]

You might as well give the runners stilts

[@LYJManchesterUnited]

When companies finally makes a product that does as advertised " We can't allow that."

[@JohnSmith-cj9cx]

I wouldn't be surprised if Nike's rivals are behind the banning campaign.

[@robywankenobi32]

Sounds like F1 racing haha

[@neitherlink6612]

@@JohnSmith-cj9cx since it's expensive innovate, let's ban those who do, so we don't have to.

[@anomad6314]

folks can use the shoe... but not for competitions.

[@georgerosebush9754]

@@robywankenobi32 I immediately thought of the fan car and how it was instabanned.

[@MukulVermamukulverma]

"we don't create any running shoes that return more energy than the runner expends" So... Nike shoes doesn't break the laws of thermodynamics . Good to know .

[@averagejoe8226]

Mukul Verma Nike is referencing the rules of competitive running set but the global governing body. What they mean is that none of their shoes are designed to propel runners through alternative means e.g. springs or motors

[@404nobrakes]

Average Joe springs do not store or create energy either. They just return the energy that the runner expends. That being said, a) the carbon plate and the foam are effectively springs and b) this rule is not sufficient on its own because it doesn’t ban bicycles or roller skates. We really have to think about what makes running running and how much mechanical assistance we’re willing to accept

[@averagejoe8226]

@@404nobrakes My opinion is that shoes =/= doping. Runners should be allowed to utilize technology as long as this technology is widely available and does not drastically change the sport or effect integrity

[@xxcleverxxvhfsaw511]

This is very true and if the shoe is available to everyone why ban it plus it would make running more competitive

[@Ozzyisunavailable]

@@404nobrakes if theyre allowed shoes at all then they should be allowed any shoes, however what is considered a shoe should also be more clearly defined

[@tevitateulilo7573]

This man really compares wearing Vaporfly’s to doing drugs...

[@sto-humanfriendly]

Doping is not doing drugs sometimes. It can refer to taking out your blood, oxygenating it, then returning it later

[@kys9611]

@@sto-humanfriendly but even with your example you have to agree that it’s still pretty absurd to compare shoes to oxygenating your blood artificially or ‘doping’.

[@sarahmacleod2008]

@@kys9611 they say you gain a 4per cent advantage with the vapor fly so why do you still consider that absurd?

[@peterflex1]

@@sto-humanfriendly did you read what youve just wrote? You can compare doing drugs with what youve said. He said its absurd to compare drugs with running shoes

[@peterflex1]

@@sarahmacleod2008 4% of what? You are literally the person who is doing drugs right now

[@Hexnilium]

I recently bought a pair, completely unaware of this controversy. The shoes definitely gave me a huge boost. I could feel the shoes helping me spring forward somehow. It increased my stride length, and made it easier to make each stride. I would estimate that it gave me about a 10% increase in efficiency. It also seemed to help with turns which were a weak point for my running. Turns always slow my pace down, but with these I maintained the faster paces. All in all, I know the shoes helped me go faster and further and with greater ease. The shoes are incredibly light. Even the shoelaces are light and made to stay tied. The engineering and precision to details are incredible. Should they be banned or discouraged? I don't think so. They help, but no different than how a pair of shoes from 1950 might compare to a pair from 2015. They're just more advanced shoe technology. Part of the future, not the past.

[@user-pe3tt7iu7g]

I remember I used New Balance 15 years ago and it helped me in Cross Country running or Mercurial Vapor soccer cleats that helped me run faster.

[@JamilKhan-hk1wl]

Its fake. Everyone knows that running in crocs gives you the most advantage

[@devon6am]

Jamil Khan súper versatile shoe, the cruise mode and the sport mode

[@sownheard]

Crogtech

[@timmyfranckson338]

I am speed

[@Jack-hm5fl]

Bro there’s actually these kids that run a 5k near my area every year in crocs, and one of them is like 12 and can go sub 18 it’s insane

[@Sce45rays31]

And blisters...

[@dosephinedostar3543]

“With the Tokyo olympics around the corner this summer” that statement didn’t age well

[@katekramer7679]

😭

[@dnice4335]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SAD!!!

[@Ruby-pi4jm]

And this wasn't posted that long ago. Man can things change!

[@agneevb.8653]

I scrolled for this comment

[@ZWolferZ]

r/agedlikemilk

[@c_harris8714]

You can not just ban a running shoe.. you either impose a standard shoe that all runners must wear in professional events or nothing at all. Banning particular running shoes just opens a can of worms and will never set a definitive standard that is consistent for runners to abide by.

[@sandybakers690]

Can of words?

[@dannynysus]

@@sandybakers690 Yeah, can of words. A.k.a., alphabet soup 🍲

[@humsse-pulmanojohnhumprey4991]

Absolutely agree with this! fake advertisement

[@causethatshow]

@@sandybakers690 In other words, fool me once shame on me, eh, fool me twice shame on eh.....you won't be fooling me again. George Bush hahahahahaha.

[@user-pe3tt7iu7g]

standard shoe is not it

[@elphive42]

Theoretically, any shoes can affect the way a runner runs - I don’t feel that a significant advancement in shoes should be blocked, as improvements have consistently occurred for the entire history of the sport.

[@peterflex1]

This.

[@user-ti9zc1xv2b]

Fine first principle thinking

[@schumerthd]

Also, not discussed is how each runner technique differs and how Nike's shoe affects their technique. If you watch the runner in the demonstration he does a lot of heel striking and would receive more benefits by using Nike's shoe, whereas a runner who strikes closer to the toes would receive no benefit from using Nike's shoe.

[@TheLaualamp]

I mean if you can put a spring in a running shoe then what if adidas comes out with some cartoon looking springy bois, everyone would agree that it's not okay, this one seems acceptable just because you don't see the spring.

[@jmcantila9104]

If wearing a specified shoe for running makes the run illegitimate then we should just ignore any record unless it's done naked.

[@dragonproductions236]

I mean by their logic you should also run on just dirt because track also gives you an unnatural advantage.

[@OakenTome]

DragonProductions Everyone’s running on the same track, not everyone can obtain these shoes.

[@all4god650]

@@OakenTome dirt track fields exsist

[@roberth4395]

@@OakenTome You are such a close minded person. Why could not they? Holy cow that was dumb. A top tier athlete can go to a store put down the cash and buy a pair of shoes just like a nornal runner. Nobody forces sponsorship on them. If they take the cash for wearing and promoting an inferior product that is their fault.

[@imagitext1342]

Back to the original Olympics!

[@Lazuardinho]

"Running shoes that return more energy than the runner expends" law of thermodynamics left the chat

[@DarkPa1adin]

battery powered device has entered the chat.

[@susanwojci]

Timestamp?

[@Quezonol]

1:52

[@kritarth]

You do not have enough understanding of mechanical science, in short thru the compressive strength and structure of the sole, additional elastic force can be supplied to runner legs, thats what they mean they that statement

[@owenkay8908]

Ground force

[@BlackandChrome]

"We do not create any running shows that return more energy than the runner expends" Well at least they aren't breaking the laws of physics I guess.

[@TheAlgerietop]

I thought so aswell, or they're putting engines of some kind in their shoes.

[@stevethebarbarian9876]

Rather than creating infinite energies, they're referring more to something like putting batteries in your shoes, which then apply some sort of actual force when you're running

[@nightlight0x07cc]

Now we need to see the compressed gas nitrous powered showed

[@amralmatni6586]

They are talking about giving energy from another source like batteries or some chemical reactions maybe 😅

[@krebgurfson5732]

not sure if dumb, or making an obvious joke

[@alecj9227]

If they are gonna try and ban a pair of shoes, they should require that all world records must be attempted completely naked.

[@ColinRowat0]

didn't the original Olympians compete naked?

[@zionlee4594]

@@ColinRowat0 yea, some say that it was done to prevent women from competing

[@SimonWoodburyForget]

What would be wrong with adding barefoot running into the olympics, if their shoes are found to give them a considerable advantage?

[@zionlee4594]

@@SimonWoodburyForget the key here is that athletes wear different sneakers. but we cannot eradicate all types of "inequalities" as it is inherent in some sports. if we made the effort to eradicate such "unfair advantage," we would have to swim indoors one by one, all at the same temperature, etc.

[@SimonWoodburyForget]

@@zionlee4594 I don't care much about _"inequality"_ I simply care about records being set in accordance to what the sport is supposed to be. What would you say if I took a bicycle to running competition? The philosophy of a running competition is clearly for a human to travel unassisted, so if shoes provide assistance, then how is it against that philosophy to not use them?

[@codycollins6468]

Bruh having a shoe is a “unfair” advantage, running shoes are literally designed for performance it just so happens to nikes which is best...... some people prefer the carbon fiber plate in that other pair of shoes

[@Cortesevasive]

ADIDAS master race

[@SuperToemoe]

If they’re honestly mad about the advantages shoes give just ban shoes all together and have them wear shirts for sponsorships if you want it to be really fair

[@spyseefan975]

with your logic roller skates would be fine too

[@shadowbanned-9577]

C-.. NO, NOT ADIDAS, We get that moniker...😉

[@jeanardcontentvillarina1761]

If it's unfair then why not let them run barefooted

[@phillychilll6308]

You'd think all running shoes were meant to improve running

[@eddiep5078]

That's what I was thinking too lol, they need to lay out what the criteria for an "unfair" advantage is, rather than just asserting that this is unfair because of the results

[@subspacesausage5918]

I feel like ”doesn't exert more energy than the runner puts in” is pretty straightforward.

[@ulvschmidt7174]

@@subspacesausage5918 these don't magically add energy it conserves energy making the runner more efficent

[@herbderbler1585]

If you take away modern shoes and track surfaces, rolling back to the technology used when the first four minute mile was achieved, about 95% of athletes who hold that record would be unable to repeat the feat. Athletic tech inevitably advances alongside material science and it's always so arbitrary how they determine was is and isn't an unfair advantage. Now to be fair, if the whole track is a different surface, that means all the runners are literally on an equal playing field. Shoe technology unfortunately starts moving into a pay-to-play conundrum for each competitor, but one can't bemoan that aspect too much as it exists in literally any sport.

[@amit9838831064]

Adidas ultraboost is best

[@prazonparajuli7346]

How can a “shoe” be considered cheating? Every shoe is supposed to give an advantage to the runner by reducing the stress their body takes. Comparing a pair of shoes with “doping” is not very wise.

[@reynantoriza6527]

Bingo

[@chevyon37s]

Just like in auto racing, tire technology improves and the cars get faster and more efficient. Keep these shoes in the sport. The continual breaking of records is fine, and should be used as an example in the advancement in the human race not only how the human race has evolved but also how humans are able to manipulate inanimate object for advancement. To me if they ban a shoe for a running race, they must outlaw all shoes and should require runners to run barefoot if they truly want the most even playing field.

[@weimpromptu]

To level the playing field, everyone should wear Crocs.

[@FarrFromPerfect]

Now that's racing!

[@aeta7978]

It wouldn't be fair, sport mode gives you +100 speed

[@dunkyt]

@@aeta7978 agreed, crocs are overpowered. Nerf it

[@Zett76]

How about just running barefoot? 🙂

[@Jorge-125]

Don't forget to use the ankle strap

[@NorrisLikens]

There hasn't been significant innovation in running shoes in 50 years. Then when the innovation comes you want to ban it?

[@gamezone4153]

Thor Odinson Bruh

[@theazrael4423]

Yes, of course, it improves the performance of people of African descent and this channel is after all, the wall street journal

[@zitronentee]

@Thor Odinson yeah, we should stay with sandals, right?

[@AeroGold1]

Same thing happened with the speedo bodysuits in competitive swimming.

[@andrewbell7579]

The only thing I have against it is, not everyone can be sponsored by Nike and therefore it will cause monetary problems.

[@misterjones7929]

As a 70 year old with over 40 years of distance running in legs, I find these shoes great for all round training as the combination of cushioning, stability and lightness reduce the chance of injury to my aged muscles and joints. The shoes give a nice feel of energy return to the stride, and if they increase my local parkrun pace to 9.30 min/miles from 10 min/miles, I can't imagine I'll be accused of having an unfair advantage on my feet..... :-)

[@RagnarNomad]

Shaving off 30secs on average run time per km is no joke, grandpa. If it can be such a huge improvement to you then imagine the effect on professional athletes in their prime? The technology itself is not bad, but it's bad that it created imbalance on the playing field, thus action(s) must be done to level the playing field again.

[@Ziabetus]

"they're so good it's causing controversy" has the same cringe as someone saying at a job interview "my biggest flaw is I work too hard." Dude shut up.

[@steelfist43]

Nike finally accomplishes their goal of creating the ultimate running shoe Shoe gets banned

[@daib5364]

That's how you know the shoes good and that's how Nike knows they did a good job

[@Benardk4]

Sad, just sad!

[@Benardk4]

How about everyone uses the shoe and we see who wins?!

[@ducanhtran1852]

Benard Kadima then adidas and other sneakers company will be bankrupted.

[@Fijilost]

Nike has gone through this before. It won’t last

[@aurtisanminer2827]

Shoes that’ll help protect runners from the continuous pounding motion that wears out their joints? Cant have that!

[@andre9095]

Aurtisan Miner it’s not SPORTS unless you’re getting HURT, unless it’s “doping” then you’re getting TOO hurt. Just watch football and don’t think about head trauma

[@bethanygarcia3437]

Andrew Batz there’s a huge difference between feeling pain on a run/during a workout and getting an injury

[@yeapthatsme2982]

@@andre9095 if u want pain...why even run with shoes...run naked...more pain...more game spirit ! We live in age where advance technology is called cheating...

[@roberth4395]

@@yeapthatsme2982 People who think like you truly dustgust me. I only use sticks and stones as tools. Also, I only wear animal skin and eat raw meat.

[@yeapthatsme2982]

@@roberth4395 yep...boomers will NVR let the world change....

[@paulpat8845]

I remember my friend introducing me to these shoes, i didn’t believe they would make a difference but my 1.5 mile run shed 1.5 mins. It helped me pass all my PT test. Ive had the same shoes for 5 years, only wear them once a year for my test.

[@brycerevo2058]

Eliud kipchoge had alphaflys on , and I don’t get how it’s an advantage if it’s available to everyone

[@notgray88]

But it isn't available to everyone. The shoe costs well over $200. Not everyone can justify spending that much on a pair of shoes.

[@christopheradami-sampson2781]

@@notgray88 If long distance running is your profession then it doesn't matter the cost to you, you will pay for the advantage, if you run for fun why do you care about that extra 4% just have fun.

[@dchen2140]

All I learned from this video is that I want the new Nike Vaporflys.

[@metaphoricdirigible1499]

Daniel Chen Same. Shameless plug but effective.

[@sportcoatjoditv7148]

Exactly !!!!!!

[@caffeinator1849]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what I called a successful marketing

[@davidkonevky7372]

Me too

[@allenscenery]

Another great commercial by Nikes.

[@oneeco]

Imagine stopping innovation because a committee doesn't like better timing. Oh wait.

[@cg1067]

Lightbulb!

[@lucifer9033]

he cannot run anymore, that's his issue

[@t_c5266]

What? Technology can make you go faster!? Time to allow bicycles and cars to improve times!

[@Mikefeher1313]

Stopping innovation? They’re just not allowing it in their sporting events ..

[@nathanthom8176]

Except some countries track teams actually require sponsorships to fund them, so if your countries team isn't sponsored by Nike, you are automatically at a disadvantage. Also athletics are about what the human body can do, not what technology can make them do.

[@timolsen8601]

“Doing something to deliberately gain an unfair advantage” like wearing shoes rather than barefoot? Cool story

[@stevenshorten6184]

The plate just keeps the foam from collapsing on the forefoot. It would be a very uncomfortable ride if it weren't there. It isn't a spring - it's a support piece. The foam is what is incredible on the shoe. The current design of the shoe is probably not doing you any favors biomechanically speaking. It's a cast on your foot that isn't allowing your foot to flex naturally. Expect some injuries.

[@RagnarNomad]

Nah, that plate can flex and return to its original shape: that is the definition of a spring. A spring does not always have to be a coil.

[@stevenshorten6184]

@@RagnarNomad Right, it's a compliant mechanism. But its flex is secondary to its stiffness. The shoe is shaped to roll - not flex. It does flex a bit like you said. But supercritical foams delaminate and behave poorly because of their inelastic nature and suspect bonding properties on textiles that are not also TPU-based.

[@RagnarNomad]

I got your point: the plate acts like a support to stabilize the athlete feet because of all that thick foam underneath. But this made me think a bit more: the plate by itself is not thing much, only by combining with that thick foam that they together create a "spring" and that "spring" aids the wearer of the shoes. One example is the leaf spring in truck, the leaves have different length thus having different elasticity but they work together to create a more comfortable ride on the truck. TLDR: the plate by itself does little but with glue and foam, they together work wonder, don't you agree?

[@stevenshorten6184]

@@RagnarNomad exactly right. The system they created with that combination of materials combined with precise geometry (shape) revolutionized the category.

[@itsv1p3r]

*man invents the first shoe* runners: this destroys the sport of running, running should only be done barefoot so it's an even playing field.

[@maxwellmorrison1911]

Exactly just the shoe of the sport evolving

[@lokksiders__2151]

You have different foot compared to mine. It's unfair.

[@itsv1p3r]

LokKsiders__ you're simply a better athlete than me... UNFAIR

[@gracefool]

To be fair, this *was* the agreed upon position of the ancient Olympics. Barefoot is pure.

[@NPCSN]

According to that guy... anything you do that will give you an advantage is cheating... Guess I shouldn’t go to the gym to get a conditioning and strength advantage... 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@knptennis7379]

This is one of the longest Nike ads I have ever seen.

[@theseeker1694]

KNP TENNIS exactly 😂

[@realthoc]

all these "journalistic" documentary styled reports are just ads for nerds.

[@AlbertoMazarro]

agree

[@lucascarman2578]

That's exactly what I said. I bet Nike paid this journalist or the Wall Street Journal to make this piece

[@LordVodka313]

Exactly. I'm not into running shoes and I'm sold on this.

[@kmcd6140]

Seems like the Vapor Fly would provide better injury protection, as well, so I am all for finding a way to get these into the sport so that knock-offs can filter down to us plebes.

[@freya1348]

It seems to me like the vaporflys would reduce the impact and injury lots of running has on your body so I think thats a good thing

[@charlesheld3082]

"The need for a level playing field is exemplified." Then have them run barefoot.

[@joshmedici]

Or make them all wear Vaporfly's.

[@neophobia404]

but what if someone "injures" themselves and gets surgery on their feet that makes them more aerodynamic :^)

[@topethermohenes7658]

Have them all have the same coach, the same food, the same training 😂

[@INikeAir]

You, my friend, are on to something

[@awseko4732]

There will always be a ‘best’ shoe. Why does it matter? Its just that this shoe is easily noticeable

[@kholilialif5515]

Item: Vaporfly (Legendary) Type: Shoes Attribute: +4% speed

[@ProjectPsyche]

That stats is quite low for a legendary item dont you think

[@Theaverageazn247]

@@ProjectPsyche devs are planning on removing it next patch. too OP

[@dustinropp]

@@ProjectPsyche not if all other shoes have lower stats

[@adrianblood652]

Or they'll put out a f2p version and nerf it next season.....

[@aqwalth1172]

Dev will nerf this shoes in the next update

[@amandasmith7828]

If this was an issue of a private company having a proprietary shoe that only certain athletes have access to, then I could see the issue. However these are sold commercially, so I'm not understanding the controversy. Shoe technology will continue to change shoe design (lighter, better energy return), and as long as all runners have equal access to these shoes, then it's a non-issue.

[@B00merBob]

Too bad for those sponsored by other shoe companies.

[@willemm]

I use them as well, and not to improve my amazingly slow times, but because I think it's better for my knees, which were always hurting after a run in other shoes.

[@misterjones7929]

I agree - see my comment above. These shoes may take a few crucial seconds off the times of world class runners, but they also have the capability of reducing the chance of injury in ageing slow joggers like myself. Worth paying the premium price for in my opinion.

[@RealestKraken56]

"The Tokyo olympics around the corner this summer" Uh oh he didn’t know

[@elslord16]

at least it around this year summer

[@DankMemes-gm1th]

@@elslord16 Not trying to depress you but IDK about that one chief...

[@Dave_the_Dave]

Big corner

[@willreilly7120]

@@venkateshsrinivasan8457 how

[@reubencass187]

@@willreilly7120 the algorithm specifically requested it

[@lesmalan]

"At Nike, we do not intend to build a shoe that return more energy than the runner expends. We have a strict policy to follow the laws of thermodynamics at Nike."

[@DidAYoutubeBlackhole]

hahaha I was thinking exactly this, then was like unless they stuck some rockets on there or some sort of battery powered bounce haha

[@sebastiangorka200]

"We at Nike can say with 100% certainty that this shoe does not contain or came into any contact with the substance known as flubber."

[@pfendi]

Sebastian Gorka oh hey! A reference I get! Lol

[@xavariusquest4603]

I was wondering if anyone would catch that little gem. Though, they are being more than disingenuous because, based upon the structure shown, rather than protecting the foot and providing good contact with the road surface, this shoe reduces the energy required to accomplish motion...the shape and orientation of that carbon fiber plate isnt random. The effect of a faster time is created by the reduction in net energy required...you have more gas in the tank in the end. They have manufactured a shoe that no one else would because everyone else would correctly assume it could be banned. Personally, given Nikes business practices over the last 5 years...I suspect they hope it is banned for competitors because general consumer sales will explode.

[@PolKsio]

hahah that's too funny, bet that was written by engineers having a big laugh

[@joehill4094]

The ads are evolving

[@mattcreighton2352]

innit

[@cpfarms8994]

Love kids making my shoes! Their little fingers stitch perfectly!!

[@shubham4845]

😂 😂 😂 😂 Underrated comment

[@lindastonebraker2512]

The fact that they’re actually relieving physical stress on the body is reason enough to use them!

[@TatharNuar]

Reason enough to ban everything else.

[@illegallemur4024]

I have terrible knees so I’m game for those bad boys

[@Leksuttaja149]

lets introduce bionic suits to weightlifting since it relieve stress on the muscles!!

[@mihnealazar7039]

Cool but not all can afford these shoes. Let’s offer them for free to every team from every country and then make them legal at marathons!

[@simplyruben3184]

@@mihnealazar7039 oh ok. so you say professional athletes that run at Olympics can't afford a $150 pair of shoes while they make huge salary's? yeah sure. 😂

[@sayakgupta3068]

Solution: 1. Make people run barefooted. 2. Make every athlete wear Nike vaporfly.

[@Commentoidiota]

3. Regulate the equipment like every other sport, so companies can still make improvements without taking away the achievements of the athletes

[@AmanRai-rq3eg]

There are 2 problems here: 1. Barefooting obviously doesn't work as it would be damaging to the athletes' feet in the long term 2. Athletes are sponsored by exclusive companies like Puma and Adidas, so they can't wear the Vaporfly now even if they want to (otherwise they lose the sponsorship money). If the Vaporfly is made compulsory it effectively puts all companies out of competition, and gives a huge unfair business advantage to Nike. It basically stifles further innovation in running shoe field as there would be no incentive for Nike to improve

[@kirisei6632]

@@AmanRai-rq3eg they chose the wrong lousy sponsorship company.😂 Losers are just trash at whatever they are competing. If they are really talented, NIKE will approach them automatically for a sponsorship. So we know the whining people are the real salty LOSER blaming everything and everyone but themselves.

[@SugarKalamay]

@@AmanRai-rq3eg you must be fun at parties mr. explanation

[@AmanRai-rq3eg]

@@SugarKalamay If only we had parties now :P

[@DeBenedettiD]

They left out the most important part. The VaporFlys carbon fiber plate within the midsole takes the shape of a rigid arc. When flattened in stride the plate wants to return to its original arc shape, that’s where the assistance(spring) is coming from.

[@kitlorenz6973]

I always have problems/pains with the muscles in my feet/legs from running/workouts using fake shoes. I wonder how it feels wearing original shoes much more this performance enhancing shoes.

[@ethanluong3549]

Nike: Innovates and breaks a barrier in running thought to be near impossible Committee: BANNED Nike: WHY Committee: The design threatens the integrity of the sport and is basically cheating Nike: We used a thin carbon fibre plate not a jet engine

[@question_mark_1971]

They might as well make them run with just socks on or even barefoot

[@inasaldinuguan785]

Sprinter's have spikes on their shoes but no one complained🤔

[@inasaldinuguan785]

In the video it said that "These shoes give runners an unfair advantage" well spike shoes give sprinters an advantage and now everyone uses them in track

[@MiniNinja258]

You Don't know me so everyone should use vaporflys lol

[@j.s.3414]

They didn't innovate anything...this entire design has been made for years by other companies. Placing a shank, and the sole design are in quite a few ultra marathon shoes.

[@s.2314]

Give everyone vapor flys so everyone has the same "advantage". solved case

[@santoshmoopanar6584]

Athletes are sponsored by different companies they... Just can't wear any shoes

[@rowanfitzgerald3250]

The thing not mentioned in this video is that they cost 250$ and not everyone can afford this :)

[@worldwidewarriors8568]

yes because $250 is not affordable for elite athletes that compete for money

[@madil2259]

Give? You mean give away new shoes for free?

[@riripari2042]

@@rowanfitzgerald3250 Exactly. I looked them up immediately. Thought I'd try and buy a pair to help me on my next pt test. Not trying to break any records, just want an easier time while doing a 2 mile run.

[@debanandapradhan7777]

Thank you . Your conversation 😊

[@itsacorporatething]

Every shoe gives some advantage, otherwise people would run barefoot. It's arbitrary what you define as an unfair advantage.

[@patreekotime4578]

Why is the only solution of a "level playing field" to ban the superior shoes instead of mandate them? Especially if the design provides more comfort and reduces chance of injury?

[@starlight5123]

Exactly its dumb

[@92ireland92]

Dont even need to mandate them. Just make it an option available to all competitors

[@LuLu-lh1hz]

Ireland exactly!

[@kikalcala]

My thoughts during the whole video.

[@jacobschmidt1631]

Because some competitors can not afford some shoes if they are made very expensive. If Nike made a cheaper version, it wouldn’t be an issue

[@LOZ8619]

if they ban them I already see the new slogan: "illegally fast"

[@Moocow2003]

This is GREAT advertising for the shoes 😂

[@yousefabdelmonem3788]

Watch cause your slogan might get stolen Illegally

[@gulaugurgunnarsson6268]

@Random Autonomous Drone Pilot yes you can? Nike already has a patent on the "just do it" phrase

[@Stopdahate994]

Random Autonomous Drone Pilot trade marking a phrase is a thing, look it up

[@zacker150]

@@Stopdahate994 that was literally his entire point "it's called trademark not patent"

[@FaithisKey792]

Very informative, thank you.

[@locketpop3851]

After this video...IM DEFINITELY GONNA BUY THEM Nike needs to thank you for the free advertisement

[@craftytrouble]

They’re just shoes man it’s not a drug, it’s like banning leggings because they run better than pants

[@jthepickle7]

BAN LEGGING! oh oh time to stop commenting

[@merivesi7021]

But by that logic people could be running with springs strapped to their feet, even though that's not really fair either.

[@hanphilnoffz8827]

Or tight short short

[@NeoRimeOnline]

Leggings are banned in swimming.

[@king_has_no_clothskul8635]

wrong. it gives unfair advantage. how do you expect ugandans,somalians and kenyians to shelve 400 dollars for the shoes? unless companies can sponsor not even govt can get the shoes. well, they dont rely on shoes. they beat all the mofos with bare-foot. marathons are run on man made asphalt, that is why you need some sort of quality shoes but not 400 or 250 plus dollar shoes. come on now!

[@SUPPORTYOURSELF]

This is the longest Nike ad I've ever seen.

[@ferretworld4031]

They are literally talking about the DISADVANTAGES of the shoes. Did you even watch the video?

[@turborooster8548]

@@ferretworld4031 No, they are saying the shoe is so good that people want to buy it. Are you stupid?

[@ferretworld4031]

@@turborooster8548 yeah they "want to bad it", are YOU stupid?

[@turborooster8548]

@@ferretworld4031 When in the video did they ever say they "want to bad it"?

[@ferretworld4031]

@@turborooster8548 No, that's what YOU said in your first comment! Might wanna go check that buddy.

[@ragetobe]

Strictly from an average runner who covers 5k runs at 4am before work everyday I can say the vapourfly and tempo next % are the best trainers I’ve ever worn, they make me feel safe from injury and confident in pushing myself. I don’t race anyone but myself and it won’t affect me if they get banned but I guess it will mean Nike don’t make trainers like them anymore which would be upsetting as I felt like I finally found the perfect trainers.

[@inscrutablemungus4143]

2:28 We don't want to normalize doping because it's terrible for the athlete. Going on steroids, for instance, comes with all sorts of side effects. If we had a substance that increased strength/muscle gain and was completely safe, every sporting body would allow it. Spolier alert: It exists and is called creatine. The vaporfly is just a really good running shoe. It doesn't hurt the athlete (AFAIK). There may be an argument that these shoes are expensive and so may price a runner out of the sport, but the comparison to doping is just dumb.

[@MrDlt123]

While wearing my vaporflys, I watched this 8 minute video in 6 minutes.

[@rajkumarsinghrathore2659]

Wrong it would be around 7.68 min coz.. vaporflys reduces only 4 percent of time Lol!! 😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@JoeShopper]

I was only wearing one Vaporfly and one Danish Clog. I broke an ankle. You'll never guess which one.

[@zafrylaiman8695]

@@JoeShopper i will never know because you didn't specify you wore which shoe on which foot

[@JoeShopper]

@@zafrylaiman8695 Here's the thing, I was wearing them on my hands.

[@rubenmontano5589]

@@JoeShopper hahahahahahahahahaha

[@simonmcneilly55]

“ doesn’t return more energy than the runner expends “. Well thanks for not breaking the laws of physics at least.

[@gangisspawn1]

Lol I thought the same thing.

[@buckiesmalls]

Right.. By the logic one could jump to the moon after several hops..

[@AR-no5ud]

I bet some materials scientist got a kick out of writing that to their boss.

[@elliotdeclet594]

its totally possible for a shoe to return more energy than expended using modern technology, the whole point of the statement is that they arent doing anything like that

[@alicangul2603]

@@elliotdeclet594 How would that work? Stationary asphalt doesn't generate energy. Where would the energy come from?

[@brid5970]

This is the same argument from the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Australian swimmers banned from bodysuit swimwear and the controversy of track runner Cathy Freeman’s running suit. It’s upgrades to materials and design and should be up to each team to innovate for themselves.

[@samw6457]

Feels like pure Nike marketing. Sponsor the best runners that would’ve won anyway and then blame the shoes and create controversy around how good they are by partnering with media like wsj. I just want these shoes more than ever now.

[@normanpoole213]

I don’t think we should ban them it’s like saying no to innovation

[@stevenr3544]

putting some carbon fibre into a shoe omG thAt Is So INnoVaTiVe

[@manuelramos5701]

@@stevenr3544 then why didn't you do it 10 years ago and beat nike to the punch?

[@DrJRMCFC]

fine, but the world records can’t stand otherwise just let non Nike athletes blood dope

[@doormantdarner7815]

J R Just let adidas make as good a copy as they can of these shoes and then everyone is equal. Running shoes have innovated so much in the last 80 years. It’s a question of natural selection, adapt or die.

[@ericramos1916]

We should ban them. Running should be what the human can do. We can maximize training, get lightweight gear and get ultra flat ground to run on, but that is just restricting the human body as little as possible. These shoes add on to what a person can do, they go past the human body instead of getting as close as possible to just a person

[@jonm3024]

Using this logic, i guess the only "fair" way to compete would be barefoot and naked?

[@allisontallantmcculley1047]

Like the Greeks did it back in the ancient olympics

[@warlordnipple]

@@kalecardenas9645 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. www.ancient.eu/article/20/ancient-greek-clothing/#:~:text=The%20Greeks%20were%20not%20particularly,barefoot%20for%20his%20entire%20life. Greeks rarely wore shoes. If they did it was sandals or boots, which usually don't count as shoes.

[@simoncarrington166]

I don't remember seeing any depictions of ancient Greeks wearing shoes... And I doubt they ran in sandals

[@blairbuskirk5460]

@@kalecardenas9645 while the ancient Greeks did have clothing and sandals they weren't used in Olympic competition. Kind of like we have semiautomatic rifles but don't use them for biathlon competition.

[@kalecardenas9645]

@@warlordnipple they never had “shoes” but they did where foot wear

[@johnlinneman2779]

Quality journalism right here. Their investigation included cutting the shoe open and finding foam...

[@alejandroo.m.9700]

As someone that actually does track and field i can say that it's a fair advantage, because at the ends of the day you're the one wearing them, it's not like wearing them will magically turn you into an olympic gold medallist

[@Miss_Annlaug]

I'm sorry: but is a shoe is classified as "doping" then so is healthy diet and training. I mean honestly. This is rediculous

[@sashaevin]

Ridiculous*

[@topethermohenes7658]

If they want pure person to person competition they should all receive the same training, the same food, the same coach, it's rediculous alright

[@DrJRMCFC]

Not it’s not.

[@geyotepilkington2892]

no, its purpleous

[@Kriophoros]

To be fair, doping has been accessible to top level for a long time. If it aint broke, dont fix it /s

[@rydohg]

This is the greatest Nike ad I've seen. Running shoes so good they might get banned? Deal me in

[@Turbo329]

Yup, gonna order mine. Lol. I have plantar fasciitis so this is an incredible breakthrough for us flat-footers. hahahahahahhaha

[@SmallHalfBeard]

Nike has been doing stuff like this for years. Same thing with the "Banned" Air Jordan 1 and Airship

[@willyjaybobindy3402]

Exactly how Jordans became known, right? MJ wasn’t supposed to wear them due to a ban and did anyway...boom. A legendary shoe is born.

[@rubeluddin87]

I already own 2 pairs will order another next month. A bit expensive tho at £250 a pop but it’s worth it

[@jordachejordan90]

Ur right. When something is banned it adds more to the shoe's prestige. Nike is still making money off the Air Jordan 1 being 'banned.'

[@danielyadgarov2344]

This seems a lot like the lzr racer from swimming (swimmer here) in that case all full body suits were banned for men allowing only jammers but material had no limits. So maybe in running you could make a general fit and layout of the shoe that all companies must ablige by but make materials a choice.

[@Friendly_G]

At this point lets just all agree to go barefoot if were going to ban shoes meant for running

[@kenanbegic5862]

When you're so good they call you a cheater. Adorable.

[@user-gl1ny5hz8y]

Alborn Messchussets fr

[@genki2705]

you didn't watch the video.

[@kenanbegic5862]

@@genki2705 but............ I did

[@tmuto5119]

@@kenanbegic5862 bc its not the person thats good. Obvs they are but the shoes give them a big advantage

[@kenanbegic5862]

@@tmuto5119 But... if you were to run in normal street shoes vs. any running shoe, the running shoe has an advantage. At the end the runner literally said it's nicer to run in Nike ones because they're comfier, so they should be banned?

[@helpme4330]

This is like a teacher finding mistakes in your exam when you got a perfect score.

[@w1z4rd9]

Lezz zz lol

[@ashishsaimon6511]

By cheating

[@Jamac007]

@@ashishsaimon6511 cheating and innovation are 2 deferent things

[@88thBusStop]

Jamac007 wearing any type of shoes by definition is cheating. Nature hardened your heals by design. All shoes should be banned.

[@starrysock]

@@Jamac007 bringing a calculator to the math test isn't "innovation" A math test is about your ability to do math, a marathon is about human endurance. Making it more than that turns it into a contest of how much we can artificially boost someone's skill, not who has the most skill.

[@rokdvornik5130]

A very well done and informative video about sneaker culture in sports

[@johnhull2582]

Having flatfeet, I have asked more than one podiatrist if it was possible to get a carbon fiber or spring steel plate arch support that went the entire length of the foot. I see someone listened.

[@Howlett9999]

I never thought I would click an 8 minutes Nike ad by myself

[@maheshjayakumar569]

That's what they want, and seeing the comments everyone fell for it.

[@23sleng]

Yeah lol people going in like this isn’t a commercial

[@Qeengish]

I don’t even run and I want these shoes

[@maheshjayakumar569]

Classic example of how smart people entrap the dumb ones

[@Sneax673]

I was thinking this exact same thing a minute in lol

[@samiammunoz6854]

changing the physiology of your body and wearing very well designed shoes are completely different things

[@saroche]

Yeah, you’re cheating in both though.

[@Drae2g2]

Cheating like taking steroids to make you stronger and faster. It's just a freaking innovative shoe!!

[@taekwondotime]

True but it's still cheating. All that will happen is we'll see EVERY runner switch to this brand of shoes (or we'll see one particular brand of shoes mandated for all runners), and that will remove the competitive advantage. That's the only way to maintain a level playing field.

[@weyjei3709]

Then what about the hardwork and innovation done by nike, isn't it unfair for them

[@nrc91]

How is it cheating when all companies have the opportunity to make a better shoe 🤨

[@pbennetto]

Little bit 'thick' of the proponent to suggest that thickness be the benchmark. Superior compounds will not be restricted by thickness but by technological advancement.

[@somethingstupid3253]

3:14 His argument here is similar to from my understanding if I pulled up to a cross country meet wearing spikes where everyone else is wearing shoes, by his argument my spikes should not be allowed because they give me an advantage, but spikes aren’t banned from xc because some runners still wear shoes.

[@definitelynotcole]

I wouldn't be surprised that this whole "controversy" was manufactured by Nike's marketing team.

[@raptorduck8785]

This is not the first time something like this happens. The Olympics Comite is stupid.

[@hebson21]

Remember, its all about the equipment, not the athlete. Goes the same for golf, cycling, and any other premium sport...

[@seanwool]

You're catching on.

[@remipepelko9201]

@@hebson21 cycling is pretty even, at least in grand tours and other uci regulated races, mostly because of weight limits and lack of aero advancement significant within uci limits.

[@AnnSisuLiv]

Bingo

[@Alertacobra12]

"Shoes so good they're banned in competitive running" - Nike 2020

[@johncapodilupo6876]

Alertacobra 12 copied

[@neixen-]

Yeah they need to be banned because they are good for the athletes that are sponsored by Nike, but what about the athletes that aren't sponsored by Nike???? To everyone saying that this is "stupid", I really wanna hear your super effective ideas to solve the problem.

[@RMBII91]

"Comments so good I copy them from other people for likes" - Alertacobra 12

[@RoyontheHill]

@@neixen- other companys make there own sci fi shoes so there athletes have a better chance

[@thiyagarajans9014]

@@neixen- do u watch F1. Do all teams have same engine manufacturers. Let's c Mercedes keeps on winning ban them. It's upto ferrari or the competitors to bring something unique on their own. Or take cricket do all batsman have bats made of similar material

[@jimmybobbyjoe]

This opens the discussion that's been hushed for centuries in running: What is the limit? What is the limit of what is and is not considered cheating? If the vaporfly is cheating, what's to say that wearing any shoe isn't cheating, if someone is running barefoot? If I have any opinion it's that the only solution is to have a standardized shoe to measure the true running capability of the runner- not their shoes.

[@loulew07]

Much like when I started triathlons back in 1985 , using a road bike , by 1987 Boone Lennon came out with the DH Handlbars and it changed the sport on the bike. By 1989 Greg Lemond used a better version them in the Tour De France. Bottom line its not how much $ you spend on the bike, its how much time . So with any piece of equipment we still have to train .

[@ludo3375]

Engineering a shoe so well that wearing it is considered cheating. Incredible. That's an amazing feat

[@footyhub3259]

Props to Nike.

[@willhooke]

*amazing feet

[@hanklesacks]

Great ad as well

[@BrielleHater1224]

@Eduardo Babyhands I would say that that is the case but so much data says differently. Like the general increase in fast times from these hyper shoes, and the VO2 max testing done on individual athletes in and out of the vapormax.

[@sneerbums2528]

Nike Stonks 📈📈

[@teddytatyo]

*MAN THE INSANE FREE ADVERTISEMENT THT NIKE GETS, ITS SO EFFECTIVE TO THE POINT EVERYONE WANTS A PAIR OF VAPORFLYS.*

[@wanabie]

teddy tatyo I don't even run and I want a pair

[@impacttrauma8696]

teddy tatyo, I immediately went to Amazon to see how much a pair cost! 😄

[@SaMiChi]

This video seriously had no substance. I was looking for breakdown of the technology, but got nothing. They showed labs, and testing, and then it ends. I can't take it as anything other than just an 8 minute ad.

[@connorburnand5865]

this isnt free lol

[@frdyn8tr]

There is no way Nike got this much attention for free. I think some geniuses in Nikes marketing department pushed this hole "controversy" to this scale, maybe even started it in the first place.

[@ManOfSteel1]

after recent Olympics this is trending news but wsj coverd this a year ago before the games started , good job!

[@LukeKwan78]

I am a UPS driver and I walk somewhere between 20 to 33,000 steps a day. 40-65 miles a week. I have spent so much money on vaporflys bc my feet never hurt anymore since using them exclusively

[@BladeMasterz916]

Nobody has an advantage, because everybody is wearing them.

[@anonymous1burger]

Capitalism: do things for utility's sake and natural competition will regulate it. Athletics: artificially create competition so that un-useful things can be retained.

[@swng314]

Swimming becoming finswimming because everyone starts using flippers

[@cyjan3k823]

People who are sponsored by adidas Just cant

[@BladeMasterz916]

@@cyjan3k823 sucks for them lol

[@douglei897]

@@swng314 . flippers slows you down when you do the kick turns and that's why nobody uses them.

[@onidevogel6597]

Imagine designing such a good shoe they say it's cheating

[@KongsiILmu-dh5yj]

God be like; *W H Y*

[@DeluxxMuin]

The same thing happened to the vehicle: Dodge Demon. It was so fast that it was banned in most drag strips and tracks, but it's also a production car you can get right off the lot

[@DeluxxMuin]

@@GigglyDucky thanks for the info!! I only vaguely remembered the video

[@ahastar1141]

The single best marketing ever

[@andrewharting9183]

Using this logic, one could reason that any shoe gives a competitive advantage to a runner. This means that multiple times throughout the course of history, runners have gotten exponentially faster because of shoe technology. You can't punish Nike for making a bigger leap forward than anyone else has. They've just progressed the sport faster. If you want it to be pure and original, don't let people wear shoes at all. Don't punish the ones who make good shoes

[@noelle3308]

The reason Kipchoge was so successful; he spends 8 months a year running marathons 4 days a week in the high altitude mountains of Kenya. I'm glad footwear is improving, its protecting athletes joints and prolonging their health. I don't think any professional runner would have a problem with this shoe or any advanced footwear.

[@ezura4760]

Yeah they make it sound like any old dude can get up off the couch, dust off the Cheeto crumbs and burger stains, tie on a pair of Vaporflys and then go break records…

[@inoita11]

I'm gonna run the Boston Marathon in steel toe boots, anyone that wears anything better than those I will consider cheaters.

[@user-ii3kn8zz1k]

you nailed it, it doesn't really make sence. Shoes are always getting better

[@gabrielduarte3904]

@@user-ii3kn8zz1k yes, but no.. because he would be putting himself willingly in disadvantage

[@necromancerbb]

@@gabrielduarte3904 the point stands then... anyone NOT using the vapourfly's would be putting themselves at a distinct disadvantage. Precisely as inoita11 said.

[@pottasium7117]

nobody: caveman boomer be like: "you use shoe, i barefoot. You CHEAT!!"

[@SpiderDibs]

Solution! It's required for _everyone_ to wear them! Boom chakalaka

[@thelead1565]

Unless you’re going to make everyone wear the same shoe brand and model, it makes no sense to ban one.

[@1DrnkCnuk]

Might as well force everyone to run barefoot and have them separated into different categories based on foot arch.

[@theshanamaster]

It's just like not letting anyone have steak because a baby cant eat it

[@-COBRA]

or force all to run barefoot

[@shayslay3416]

@@theshanamaster that's honestly not a good comparison. The shoe and the steaks are the variables. A baby literally can't eat a steak, but all the runners can wear the vaporflys. It's more like people eating soup faster with a soup spoon vs people eating soup with a teaspoon, because the people are the constants, and the spoons are the variables, but they can still pick their own spoon.

[@risktaker141]

@@shayslay3416 wow, no one cares

[@supKEVEN]

Dude looked so comfortable running in the vaporflys

[@pauless76]

again some Americans finding a problem where a problem doesn't exist. They want to ban these new shoes because they are "too innovative" and in the meantime in this video they show how running shoes have been innovative through the past years. Love you Americans...you know how to entertain this side of the world

[@HiThisIsMine]

“Unfair” would mean that other runners can’t obtain them. So, case settled... everyone gets Nike Fly Neon Shoes

[@BrightonYoung]

Nike approves this message.

[@sallymas625]

T. W Na they are illegal in the states, buying shoes not so much.

[@Orinatl]

T. W yeah, but would that damage there health. Biological alteration is different then wardrobe.

[@RigginTheRod010]

@Sebastian Remi they should've picked Nike then

[@FreePalestine8096]

I thought the same thing, but I think the issue is that sponsorships come into play.

[@missvanjie905]

3 minutes in and they still haven’t explained HOW the shoes give anyone an advantage

[@manchuratt8900]

This annoyed me as well.

[@mish2773]

A bit about the foam they use in planes

[@andrzejsupermocny2386]

B O U N C Y

[@mish2773]

Andrzej Supermocny you can see the jiggle in the steps ;)

[@DrMack9696]

They have a carbon plate in them which functions essentially as the springy legs amputee runners use... I'm not sure why this was not more thoroughly addressed here....

[@lennart266]

A bunch of extra layers of cloth is called "mechanical" doping? Seems like a smear campaign by Nikes competitors who got caught completely off guard.

[@zacharyfindlay-maddox171]

I'm 42, I love running and I started wearing the Vaporfly's because I don't feel as much pain and soreness the next day. I wish these shoes were around when I was younger, I think I would have prevented wear and tear on my body.