Nike Air Zoom Victory Elite

Faith Kipyegon's Breaking4 Spike: The Victory Elite FK Kipyegon’s Nike Victory Elite FK spike has several distinct benefits. First, the Air underfoot. Nike’s peerless middle-distance research suggested that a taller Zoom Air unit would help improve runner efficiency across greater distances. Despite the taller Zoom Air, Kipyegon’s custom spike was engineered to have a slightly increased heel-to-toe offset compared to the Victory 2. Second is the customized spikes, an experiment in shedding weight while optimizing traction for Kipyegon. The shoe’s outsole plate features six titanium spikes for better traction at toe-off, compared to five on the Victory 2 and on early prototypes that Kipyegon tested. The titanium spikes are lighter than steel and stronger than aluminum, which are the primary metals used in traditional spikes. The six spikes are also imbedded, not screwed, in carbon fiber layers on the plate, creating a more seamless integration underfoot. The Victory Elite FK upper is far lighter than the Victory 2. The bespoke Flyknit upper helps reduce the weight of the upper panel by some 60 percent — or about the weight of five quarters — while the strength of the yarns still properly contain the foot.