| Gender | Men , Women |
| Weight | 272 gr |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Cushion | Neutral |
| Runner weight | Light |
| Running gait | Neutral |
| Surface | Road |
| Use | mixed |
| Pace | High |
| Foot | Normal feet |
| Strike | Forefoot |
| Year | 2014 |
Nike has released its latest running shoe: the Nike Air Zoom Elite 7, which is the lightest version in the seven-year history of the Zoom Air flying running shoe.
The rationale behind the Air Zoom Elite 7 is the same as all other Nike Running designs: athlete feedback. Researchers observed that both elite and grassroots athletes include continuous running in their workouts. In these faster-paced workouts, runners strive to run at a pace more similar to a race than an occasional workout. During these runs, which allow runners to add more miles and gain more speed, speed and quickness are essential sections.
Evan Jager and Matt Tegenkamp, elite runners and U.S. record holders, train in the Air Zoom Elite, making them ideal collaborators to provide insights and feedback during the design process.
"The Elite are my shoe of choice for continuous running, which is an important part of my training plan," says Tegankamp, the 2 outdoor U.S. record holder. "The Zoom Air cushioning system under the forefoot gives the Elite's extremely quick response off the ground - I feel fast and light in every stride!"
The new Air Zoom Elite design is the lightest ever created, weighing just 227 g for a women's size 39 (EUR) and 272 g for a men's size 44 (EUR).
"We designed these Air Zoom Elite based on continuous running, but they are very versatile, so any runner of any level and pace will be able to enjoy them," says Mark Miner, Senior Footwear Designer. "Matt and Evan's feedback, along with over 37,000 km of testing, was the basis that inspired the Elite's lightweight and responsive design."
The Elite incorporates Zoom Air in the forefoot to provide reactive cushioning during the faster moments of continuous running, when runners are more likely to impact with the forefoot. Zoom Air cushioning is designed to be highly reactive and provide quick response when lifting the foot off the ground.
The shoe features a more aerodynamic design with a displacement of just eight millimeters between the heel and toe. It is the designers' response to shape athlete preferences for a lower profile. A lower ride reduces the distance between the runner and the ground, allowing for a more natural stride.
All angles of speed and comfort of the shoe were considered when designing the Elite 7. Its sleek new upper incorporates a lightweight mesh upper with Nike Flywire technology. The mesh provides increased breathability without adding weight and the Flywire technology wraps the foot for a snug, adaptive fit. Asymmetrical laces help support the midfoot, and seamless overlays provide great support and a snug fit.
"The asymmetrical design came about in early meetings with Matt and also after observing his movements with the previous Elite," Miner continues. "We wanted to align the design of the shoe so that it moved with the foot. The asymmetrical design, along with Flywire technology, improved the fit in the arch and forefoot."
On the sole, an extremely thin outsole adds traction without adding weight. The Elite's lateral anti-impact strip flexes on contact with the ground to provide a smooth, even transition when both landing and lifting. Deep flex grooves under the forefoot offer more room for a more natural motion.
The Air Zoom Elite 7 is part of a Zoom Air Running shoes collection that also includes the NikeAir Zoom Streak, Nike Air Zoom Pegasus, Nike Air Zoom Structure and Nike Air Zoom Vomero. With Zoom Air, the result is a fast, responsive run, whether it's a morning workout or beating your personal best in a marathon.