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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

"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.

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

To level the playing field, everyone should wear Crocs.

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.

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..... :-)

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

"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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

"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 .

If they want fairness among athletes, then there should be uniform shoes during the competition.

The ads are evolving

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

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

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.

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.

"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."

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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.

*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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Nobody has an advantage, because everybody is wearing them.

I feel like they are made specifically for road running. I don't think they might even hinder you on trail runs with how much more nibble you have to be

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

The first time a shoe company delivers on its promises, it gets banned

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

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

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 .

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

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

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.

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

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

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

everyone has already been doing this with all the recent innovations in footwear. By this logic, everyone should be made to wear the same shoe(also a bad idea because naturally, athletes will have different anatomical requirements). Or, competing brands will have to adapt their technology.

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.

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

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

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.

someone tell me how can i order this shoe PlZ🙏

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

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

7:40 This test has someone run a mile with one product on then follow up with another product and run another mile. Problem: the flawed test.

If they are really providing an advantage but any of the runners are allowed to purchase and use them than its not really an advantage in competition. Just an improvement for the physical stresses that running carries. Maybe other shoe manufacturers should try to compete rather than work in the shadows to ban a competing manufacturer that has the jump on them.

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

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

I'm not a runner so my statement is purely opinion. I'm wondering if the shoe removes the actual stress away from the leg hitting a hard surface & this continues to provide the runner with more energy which also removes any mental thought or stress that the runner may have about discomfort or pain from running which also removes any mental thought and/or stress about the leg discomfort which then gives the runner more mental space to focus their energy on running. Kinda like if a weight lifter was able to remove any physical discomfort of lifting but still having to do the work of lifting the weights..or did I just describe steriods..?😒

We basically just watched a 8min Nike ad.

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

Imagine if people did this back in the 1930s when Jesse Owens won the gold in his spiked adidas shoes, some of the first of their kind, it’s almost like technology evolves over time to improve the sport

Dude looked so comfortable running in the vaporflys

Interesting...in 100 meter running apparently it’s the psi applied to the surface that transmits to speed. I suspect in long distance running it’s not the cushion that aids the runner but the spring of the fiber insert.

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

0:31 "with the Tokyo Olympics this summer" He doesn't know what's coming XD

Lol I got an Under Armour ad during this video, which itself is a Nike ad.

What if its some kind of itelligent ad for nike