Nike first revealed the Air Zoom Viperfly at the 2020 Forum event, it was a track shoe like we’d never seen before - representing a new standard of performance for the track. Designed specifically for the 100m sprint in mind - the truest test of pure human speed. Nike designed the shoe, with technology influenced from their record breaking road shoes. A custom carbon plate through the shoe and Nike Air Zoom units on the forefoot. Nike had also provided foam in the heel to provide impact protection and to aid a smooth transition from sprinting too post race walk.

The shoe was due to release in summer 2020, but its arrival seemed to cause concern amongst other manufacturers. It had reports of staggering results from testing the spikes with several sprinters. But it was never put forward to the World Athletics for approval - after concerns of the shoe potentially not meeting the new criteria for approval. It is rumoured Nike may still release a revised version of the Viperfly in time for the Tokyo Olympic Games this summer.

Nike however have been able to produce great spikes for longer track distances that complies with the rules. No doubt by the summer other brands will be wanting to offer a spike to rival Nike’s, which should establish a level playing field. But recently the British 800m record has been broken by Elliot Giles, in a time of 1:43.63 who was wearing a pair of the Nike Air Zoom Victory at the World Indoor Tour. At no point is this amazing victory down to the shoes alone. Second place finisher Jamie Webb, also finished inside the previous record but without Nike shoes.

Have a look below to see how Nike track shoes have evolved and our recent article on the upcoming Alphafly NEXT% Hyper Turquoise.