Kicks: @NIKE Unveils Track & Field Footwear and Apparel Innovations

Earlier we posted about Nike unveiling the Basketball uniforms and Nike Hyper Dunk 2012. Check out the Track & Field Footwear and Apparel after the jump…

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From  Nike:

It’s about speed. For the past 12 years NIKE has been continually evolving Project Swift, with its central goal of maximizing athlete velocity.  Incorporating over 1,000 hours of wind tunnel testing and insights from some of the fastest athletes in the world, NIKE has applied this research to a range of sports, with Track & Field always at its core.

What was once a singular suit has now evolved into a set of core principles applied to all speed-related uniforms in the athlete’s Track & Field kit, giving every athlete an arsenal of options. Nike Pro TurboSpeed is the fastest collection of uniforms we’ve ever built, and exemplifies our commitment to the successful execution of the Project Swift’s core principles:

Zoned Aerodynamics: Just as a golf ball’s dimples are designed to help it go farther and faster, NIKE uses a similar idea to help reduce the aerodynamic drag of the athlete. Using revolutionary Nike AeroSwift technology, patterns and surface architectures informed directly by wind tunnel data are strategically placed on key areas of the athlete’s form. The result is the Nike Pro TurboSpeed, which offers the greatest aerodynamic drag reduction of any NIKE uniform to date.

Zero Distraction: Promoting focus by eliminating distractions, this new generation of Project Swift employs the new technology Nike AeroSwift to keep the interior surface of Nike Pro TurboSpeed as smooth, even and uninterrupted as possible. By placing elastics and edge finishes on the outside of the garment and incorporating an innovative flat, smooth waistband, bulkiness and abrasions are virtually eliminated.

Superior Lightweight Performance: Lightweight materials combine with design principals of reduction and simplification to create lighter uniforms , thereby helping increase overall speed.

Nike Pro TurboSpeed: Our fastest ever: Based on wind tunnel data, it is up to .023 seconds faster over 100m than our previous track uniform, which can be the difference between finishing on the podium or not..

Reflecting the NIKE commitment to considered design, Nike Pro TurboSpeed merges sustainability and performance. On average, Nike Pro TurboSpeed uniforms use 82% recycled polyester fabric. Specific products have been developed for distance, sprint, and field events while strategic color blocking is used to visually capture movement. Specifically for women, NIKE has developed a new approach to modular support, creating specific solutions for the distance, sprint, and field athlete, each offering a different degree of support and adjustability, and integrating Dri-FIT moisture management and premium quality detailing throughout.

Nike Zoom Spikes

With one goal in mind: enable athletes to reach their top speeds, Nike debuts the ultra-light Nike Zoom Superfly R4 and Nike Zoom Victory Elite. Uniting superior fit, support and traction, these cutting-edge spikes prepare athletes for their greatest performance ever.

Nike Zoom Superfly R4: Improving upon the success of the Nike Zoom Superfly R3, the Nike Zoom Superfly R4 fuses revolutionary NIKE Flywire with a lightweight spike plate that has been proven on the track by some of the fastest runners in the world. Dynamic Nike Flywire cables move with the foot, offering support and comfort while minimizing weight and bulk. The super strong Flywire cables individually wrap around the foot and connect to the laces for a more personalized fit and outstanding lockdown. The ace-span liner presents a smooth seamless interior for comfort against the skin, and ultra-thin TPU film overlays provide additional support in key areas while maintaining the shoe’s super-lightweight feel.

The Nike Zoom Superfly R4 utilizes an aggressive, rigid Pebax® plate with eight spike receptacles for maximum power and traction. Meanwhile, a thin phylon midsole wedge offers exceptional impact cushioning while keeping the spike light and low to the ground.

Nike Zoom Victory Elite: Specifically designed for the 1500-meter race, the Nike Zoom Victory Elite combines an ultra-responsive carbon plate with a dynamic Nike Flywire upper. The result is a groundbreaking shoe that helps maximize athletes’ on-track potential.

Similar to the Nike Zoom Superfly R4, the Nike Zoom Victory Elite employs innovative Nike Flywire in the upper. The  high tensile strength Nike Flywire cables wrap around and under the foot to provide a more personalized fit while also providing a secure connection to the underfoot spike plate.

The lightweight foam midsole provides responsive cushioning, while a new tongue construction improves fit and comfort by reducing lace pressure on top of the foot.

An innovative carbon fiber plate provides the ultimate combination of traction, support and flexibility while also reducing weight.  5 layers of carbon in the midfoot provide stiffness to help runners stay on their toes.  The forefoot plate is composed of 3 layers of carbon to provide a flexible and highly responsive platform with 6 spikes for traction and propulsion.

These features combine to offer superior fit and comfort, enhanced support, greater flexibility, traction and mobility in our lightest, fastest 1500M spike ever.