'That’s his baseline'- How Eliud Kipchoge plays an important role in designing Nike's running shoes

Eliud Kipchoge

'That’s his baseline'- How Eliud Kipchoge plays an important role in designing Nike's running shoes

Abigael Wafula 07:00 - 13.10.2024

Eliud Kipchoge has become instrumental in designing Nike’s long-distance running shoes, providing feedback and helping develop models like the Zoom Fly 6, shaping innovations based on his training and racing experience.

Eliud Kipchoge has now become a vital part of designing long-distance running shoes for Nike, one of the leading athletic footwear and apparel brand.

The former world marathon record holder has been involved in designing the new Zoom Fly 6 that he has added to his wardrobe of training shoes. He mostly trains with the Vaporfly and the Alphafly.

As reported by Nike, the shoe portrays Kipchoge’s ‘commitment to test, improve and validate Nike Running’s full lineup of race footwear.’ Nike’s senior expert of running footwear Elliott Heath noted that Eliud Kipchoge’s feedback has helped shape their knowledge of super shoes.

“We've started to call Eliud our Product Line Manager on the ground. He’s doing hand sketches and writing dedicated notes about our prototypes — That’s his baseline. Over the last couple of years, he’s gone to the next level of building feedback sheets, giving them to his running camp teammates and asking them to give their own notes. He’s the world’s best marathoner, but he actually feels like a member of our product team,” Heath disclosed.

Eliud Kipchoge had made the Zoom Fly 5 a vital addition to his training especially for his easy Monday runs. He explained that the sixth version was lighter and more comfortable on the upper side, making it a better running shoe.

Such surveys are important before the shoe becomes available in retail and Heath explained that Kipchoge always delivers when it comes to giving feedback. Heath added that Eliud Kipchoge is always ‘willing to give constructive feedback.’

For instance, the five-time Berlin Marathon champion had requested that a slightly more durable material be added to the outsole to help the shoe better withstand a rigorous training schedule.

“It’s worth giving a thought. Eliud really embraces the quiver mindset throughout his entire training cycle. Eliud’s notes help ensure that every Nike silhouette serves a distinct purpose. No one’s as qualified to give that precise, attuned feedback as the greatest marathoner of all time,” Heath said.

“What you do in a race is 5% of your running journey. Anyone who’s racing marathons is spending 95% of their time in other shoes, gritting their teeth through the easy and hard miles that aren’t glamorous. Anytime an athlete wants us to be a part of their 95% as well as their 5% on race day, that’s when we have the real potential to better serve our runners.”