Running shoes innovations for the everyday athlete

Matt Nordstrom, Nike's senior designer in apparel innovation, talks to media representatives from Asian countries

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE--Not too long ago, innovations that come with creating better running shoes were reserved for elite athletes. Thankfully, these pioneering efforts are starting to become more accessible to the everyday runners—and rightly so.

Technology has given companies the tool to create much lighter, more environment-friendly, and more stylish pair of shoes for running at a time when the sweat-inducing and calorie-burning activity seems to be more popular than ever. 

The Lunar Glide 4

With marathon races left and right, thousands of casual runners are hooked in the activity. But whether it is a newbie or a hardcore runner, everyone could benefit from running shoes that feature advanced technology.

Take for example the Nike Lunarlon, a revolutionary cushioning system that builds on a sense of weightlessness that came from observing astronauts walking on the moon.

“It all starts with the athlete,” said Matt Nordstrom, Nike’s senior designer in apparel innovation. “We listened to what they need so we can help them achieve their goals. The Lunarlon is the result of that powerful collaboration.”

Lunarlon is a cushioning system that is soft and resilient. It includes a foam core encased within a carrier for lightweight, plush cushioning, springy response and support.

“Balancing the function and aesthetics is always a requirement and a challenge for us. But this gives us the opportunity to fuse art and science together,” Nordstrom told the Inquirer.

The beauty of the Lunarlon is in its weight, which is 30 percent lighter than standard Phylon foam. The advanced cushioning system will be featured in the entire Nike Lunarlon Collection that promises to provide enhanced support and stability for runners.

Aside from the revolutionary cushioning system, Nike has also come up with the Flyknit, a technology that precisely engineers yarns and fabric variations for a virtually featherweight, formfitting and practically seamless shoe.

“With no extra unnecessary layers (such as midfoot strap and external heel counter), Nike was able to create a shoe [Flyknit Racer] that weighs a mere 160 grams or 5.6 ounces,” said Nordstrom.

A reduction of weight, of course, can help runners run faster. The Flyknit was also engineered to feel like a second skin. For something so light, it can do some heavy work.

Much of the art of Nike Flyknit happens at the micro level. In more ways than one, the Nike Flyknit is a “sock shoe” that is made of dynamic materials using unique fabric patterns.

“If the Flyknit Racer is light, efficient and supportive enough to withstand 26.2 miles (full marathon) on the fastest runners on the earth, then we believe we can translate the benefits to runners of all levels,” he said, referring to how Nike had the shoes tested by athletes during the US marathon trials.

Nike is a great option for runners seeking lightweight running footwear, but is always the case, the company promises to continue creating multiple product options to match the athlete’s personal prefeerences.

He said: “Nike, and the Flyknit in particular, does challenge the fundamentals of footwear design and opens up more innovative possibilities than ever before.”