Revolutionize Your Run: Is Nike’s Latest Shoe Too Powerful for Its Own Good?
In it for the Long Run: Why Elite Runners Are Still Hooked on the Vaporfly Next% 2
A Timeless Choice
When it comes to competitive running, every fraction of a second counts. And for some elite athletes, that means sticking with the tools that got them to the top – even if it means bucking the trend. Mengesha’s decision to lace up the Vaporfly Next% 2 wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment choice; he’s not the only high-flyer to make this pick. Take Kelvin Kiptum, for example, who won the 2023 London Marathon wearing the same shoe. Initially, some might have dismissed Kiptum’s bias as a lack of experience with the newer model – but it’s hard to ignore his subsequent switch to the Alphafly 3, with which he set the current world record.
Staying the Course
Joshua Cheptegei, the current world-record holder in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, is another prime example of a runner who’s stuck with what works. Despite having ample time to adapt, he still chose to wear the discontinued Vaporfly Next% 2 during the 10-mile Dam tot Damloop in the Netherlands. What’s more, his shoe of choice came in the eye-catching Electric colorway, released ahead of the Paris Olympics this past summer – more than a year after Nike stopped selling the Vaporfly Next% 2 to the general public.
The Consistency Factor
So why are elite runners like Mengesha and Cheptegei so loyal to the Vaporfly Next% 2? The answer lies in consistency. Each shoe has its unique attributes, and for these athletes, the Vaporfly Next% 2 provides a winning combination of performance and familiarity. Whether it’s the carbon plate, the midsole, or the upper material, this shoe has been honed to perfection, and its reputation precedes it. Why fix what ain’t broke, right?
• Some elite runners prefer the Vaporfly Next% 2 over its successor, the Alphafly 3.
• Kelvin Kiptum won the 2023 London Marathon in the Vaporfly Next% 2.
• Joshua Cheptegei still wears the discontinued Vaporfly Next% 2 despite having time to adapt to newer models.
• The Electric colorway was released ahead of the Paris Olympics this past summer.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol
