Home› General Training Discussions

What's the current knowledge on Nike 4% -like shoes?

Dave TalloDave Tallo
in General Training Discussions

@tim cronk 's thread on raising his FTP by 300% has me thinking about how to get faster with new running shoes. Recalling there were some major thinkers on this piece of gear when it came out last year, I have a bunch of questions:

-Have there been major developments in this area since then? Is there, like, a Nike 6% in the hopper that will make the 4% perform like a pair of old-school Jordans?

-Are other manufacturers onboard this (or similar) technology yet?

-Has anyone used or been following the findings of the Hoka Carbon X? Do these compare? Do Hoka's improvement claims compare to Nike's?

-If I wanted to go to a pair of Nike 4%, but haven't run in Nikes ever, what is an appropriate Nike gateway-shoe to use as a tester and to ensure that the last, fit, etc is appropriate?

-Expected life / mileage of a pair of 4%?

-I'm already in a pretty minimal (6.5oz) racing flat. Has anybody made a similar switch, and what were your findings?

Thanks all

Tagged:

Comments

  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    • Nike has a new model "coming soon", the NEXT%: https://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/running/vaporfly

    • Hoka has carbon plate technology, part of the VaporFly 4% system: https://www.hokaoneone.com/mens-road/evo-carbon-rocket-/1100049.html. But you knew that already...

    • The ZoomFly has the same upper material and carbon plate, as well as sizing and lacing as the VaporFly4%. I recently got a pair from Running Warehouse with EN discount @ $100.

    • I now have 70 km of hard racing in triathlons of all distances 5-42 km as well has one half marathon. The bottoms look like they could go another 100 k. And they certainly have retained their speed, based on my race last weekend.

    • my previous racing shoes - again for all distances - were 6 oz racing flats from Saucony. The Vaporflys are 4.5% faster...what I see are *faster* pace @ the *same* HR and power. See previous thread of mine on this comparison.

    For me, a hard core racer always looking for an edge, these are WELL WORTH the money. Comparable to aero wheels and helmets for a bike, or a sleeved wetsuit for the swim. Certainly better value than slippery chains or fancy rocky pulleys.

  • Larry PetersLarry Peters

    @Dave Tallo , Like Al, I also train in Nike Zoom fly periodically for racing in vaporflies. I've done 2 * 5k tests, a 5k race & 2 days ago did a 25k race in the vaporflies. I also really like running in the zoom fly. The vaporflies feel great, and I have some suggestion that they are faster for me, but with variables like screwing up nutrition in my most recent race, different wind direction & temps (when comparing the same race in different years ), I can't show concrete evidence they are faster for me yet. But I have no reason to doubt it.

    One comparison that was faster in vaporflies: 2/4/19 5k test in vaporflies was 6 sec/mile faster pace than my 3/18/17 5k race with 3 less bpm avg HR in 2019. Strava says the 2019 5k route had 131 feet of gain (out and back course) and the 2017 race had 58 feet of gain (loop). Both courses in similar neighborhood. Elevation caveat, 2017 was measured with Suunto Ambit 2 and 2019 was measured with garmin 935, so not sure if comparing elevation gain is appropriate. But weather was cold on both days and wind direction shouldn't have been a big factor w/ loops & out/back courses. I'm hoping I'm a faster runner now than 2017, but may also be partly (or entirely) the vaporflies.

    I know several people who really like to train in the Nike Pegasus Turbo (I think that is it) to race in vaporflies. These have the "the same Nike ZoomX foam cushioning used in our VaporFly 4%" (https://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/running/pegasus), but do not have the carbon plate found in the zoom fly and vaporfly. @Steve boer is a huge fan of the Pegasus & vaporfly.

  • Dave TalloDave Tallo

    Thanks for the data and insights, @Larry Peters and @Al Truscott.

    Now if Nike would just hurry up and get their 'Nike 45%' to market, then I could finally give that Kipchonge chap a run for his money.

  • Tim SullivanTim Sullivan

    @Dave Tallo I don't ever run in Nikes other than for races. I do not think any adaption is needed. I usually run in Hoka which are a much different shoe. I also train in heavier shoes. It's always nice to see a faster pace at the same number of watts on race day! I also believe that my legs feel much better after a marathon in Vaporflys. They really are cushy. Get a pair of the new ones.

Sign In or Register to comment.