VAPOR STREET
BEHIND THE DESIGN
Last year, Nike launched Breaking2, a quest to break the two-hour marathon barrier. It also marked the debut of a new innovation, the Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite, worn by the three runners who made the attempt in Monza, Italy in May.
The science behind the shoe required a brand new silhouette designed for function. That function, beyond speed, is to provide protection and comfort that helps athletes run further and longer.
To deliver the benefit of long-lasting comfort for all-day wear, Nike developed the React Vapor Street Flyknit. “Foundationally, the Zoom Vaporfly Elite is appealing, because it authentically advances sport,” says Nathan Schultze, Nike Sportswear Designer. “For us, its aesthetic resonates culturally, well beyond its original intention.”
The React Vapor Street Flyknit maintains the shape and flexibility of the Vaporfly Elite’s Flyknit upper, as well as its oversized Swoosh extending onto the midsole. Underneath, it has a soft, responsive Nike React sole.
“In running, cushioning and comfort are the most important benefits,” says Geng Luo, Nike Sport Research Lab Senior Researcher, Biomechanics. “The need for protection and comfort also applies to a more casual shoe like the React Vapor Street Flyknit.”
