Do Nike Super Spikes Live Up to the Hype? (And What Are the Possible Consequences of Overuse?)
by Melinda Burris
In August of last year, I wrote an article covering the controversial use of Nike’s 2019 innovation of so-called ‘super spikes’—otherwise known as the Nike Vaporfly—a shoe that offers distinct features including inner foam padding and thick, carbon-plated soles. The use of this shoe has come under repeated fire since its inception for being what many believe is a form of ‘technology doping’. The contention has been that those who wear the Vaporfly have an unfair advantage over their competitors who are sponsored by and wear other shoe brands that lack these adaptations.
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These criticisms have been mounted by interested parties across the spectrum, from former and current athletes to coaches and trainers, avid fans, and even World Athletics, the international association responsible for setting policy, rules, and regulations for the purpose of maintaining a level playing field in track and field and a host of running and even race-walking sporting events.
Much of the criticism has stemmed from the fact that athletes who have worn the Nike super spikes have consistently broken world speed records—some recently achieved and many that have held a place of honor in sports history for decades. The numbers speak for themselves: In 2019, 86.1% of those with the best finishes in the six highest-ranked marathons across the globe were wearing the Nike Vaporfly.1
Usain Bolt Voices His Opinion
One notable and outspoken critic of the Vaporfly has been Usain Bolt, a Jamaican track star who gained world recognition for his impressive finishing times and career accomplishments that include setting new world records for the under 18 age group in 100 and 200-meter races.2,3 Bolt achieved all these feats wearing Puma spikes.
Though Bolt’s 100-meter record was broken in June 2021 during the Olympic trials by unlikely contender Erriyon Knighton, a 17-year-old Florida high school student-athlete, Usain Bolt still holds the unofficial title of ‘fastest man in the world’.3 And there is no question where Bolt stands on the use of Nike’s super spikes. Last year, the Olympic champion described the use of the shoe in competition as both “laughable” and “unfair.”2
Defenders of the Nike Vaporfly
Despite the opposition of renowned athletes like Bolt, Nike’s so-called super spikes have had their defenders. Not surprisingly, Nike itself defends the shoe as an example of the athletic wear mega-giant company’s commitment to being a leader in advancing technology.2
Others, including distinguished runner and writer Madeleine (Maddy) Kelly, have contended that innovations like the Vaporfly do more good than harm because they bring more attention to the sport.3 Even Nike’s staunchest competitors in the athletic apparel industry have recognized the “seismic shift”3 this technology has caused in the sport and have allowed athletes who represent their brands to wear the Vaporfly during Olympic trials in an effort to level the playing field—albeit with the Nike logo well camouflaged.3
Is the Nike Super Spike Safe?
However, safety concerns over the use of Nike super spikes have arisen, raising new questions about the advisability of allowing athletes to wear them. Madeleine (Maddy) Kelly, an early proponent of the shoe (as noted previously), began suffering from Achilles pain a few weeks after training and competing while wearing the Nike super spikes.4
The 800-meter champion, who hails from Canada, admits she never experienced problems with her Achilles before she began wearing the Nike super spikes, despite having worn other spikes on a variety of track surfaces on a regular basis for half a year.4 Kelly explains that the Vaporfly is different from other spikes because when you aren’t running, wearing the shoes causes the toes to dorsiflex, or bend upward, at a higher intensity compared to traditional spikes.4
Peter Thompson knows shoes. He has designed shoes for several manufacturers including Nike. Thompson is also a running coach and understands the importance of proper footwear and how the shoes you wear affect the body, particularly for athletes who must demand their feet tolerate a higher level of endurance. He explains that the Nike super spike puts added stress on foot tissue.5
As Thompson points out, we are not born wearing shoes. Rather, the human body is made up of a kinetic chain, which he explains encompasses your entire physical being, “from the top of your head to the end of your toe.”5 The kinetic chain is what allows interconnected body sections including joints and muscles to work in unison as directed by the spine.
Thompson contends that over-wearing spikes can inhibit the natural development of stiffness, which runners learn by training on different surfaces. This is imperative as it enables your feet to learn how to adapt and perform on various types of terrain. Wearing spikes too often can cause dependency and inhibit your ability to develop natural stiffness which can lead to an increased risk of stress or injury. To avoid this, Thompson advises using traditional shoes while training and saving the Nike super spikes and other carbon-plated shoes for competitive events.5
Conclusion
As the evidence shows, Nike super spikes are a source of controversy for two reasons:
- There is the moral question of fairness. Not everyone can afford the Vaporfly, and even elite athletes who can afford the best equipment often have contracts with Nike’s competitors, meaning they have limited opportunities to wear what could arguably be deemed a superior competitive shoe.
- There is the question of what overuse or long-term wear does to the body’s kinetic chain and if it causes orthopedic issues such as Achilles’ heel and if it makes the user dependent on the additional support because the feet weaken as a result of not developing a natural level of stiffness.
Experts agree the answers to these questions will require additional study. In the meantime, it would seem wise to heed the recommendation to avoid overwearing chrome-plated spikes.
References:
- Ernest, M. (5 August 2021). Nike’s Superhuman Maxfly Track Shoes Create Olympics Controversy.
- Raynor, K. (19 July 2021). Advances in Spike Technology Are Laughable and Unfair, Says Bolt.
- Carter, R. (29 June 2021). 17-year-old Breaks Usain Bolt’s 200M Under-18 Record to Become Youngest Track & Field Olympian Since 1964.
- Kelly, M. (25 September 2020). Are Your Carbon-plated Shoes Making You Weaker?
- Hambleton, B. (9 April 2021). Do the New Super Spikes Increase Your Risk of Injury?
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