LOLZLetter Edition 26| Carbon Plated Shoes Revisited
Welcome back or Welcome to the 26th Edition of the Newsletter.
This week marks 6 months since beginning the newsletter. This also might be the longest newsletter yet!
On a separate note, two newsletters ago I wrote about the issues Brooks was having with their shipping and why it’s taking over 2 weeks to get a shoe.
I mentioned their “warehouse” had changed from Seattle to the Indianapolis area and what I should have said was their “distribution center” changed.
All shoes are still made in Southeast Asia but are (now) sent to Indianapolis before being distributed to run specialty, shoe stores, or shipped to your house. I just wrote a review about the Brooks Ghost 12, so if you’re looking for a new everyday trainer it could be a candidate.
Anyway, several months ago in the third newsletter I wrote about the Nike Fly, Vaporfly (now Next%), and Pegasus Turbo. That was 23 weeks ago, and each shoe has been recently updated – plus there are some newcomers to the carbon plate world. We’re going to dive into all these shoes this week! I’ll highlight their differences and tell you which ones are worth the money.
One of the most requested topics for the newsletter is if the Nike Vaporfly (now Next%) is “worth it.”
Here is the Short Answer:
There is research to prove you’ll run faster in the Next% but it won’t substitute training. Is a few seconds worth $250 to you?
Here are the differences between the Next%, Zoom Fly 3, and Nike Turbo 2:
The Next%: Carbon Plate + ZoomX Foam
The Zoom Fly: Carbon Plate
The Nike Turbo 2: ZoomX Foam
Since Don’t Come to the Newsletter for Short:
The Fly is the cheapest of the three shoes I’m discussing, retailing at $160. The Fly uses an entirely different foam and doesn’t offer the energy return of the Next% (that’s why it’s $90 cheaper).
The updated Fly does have brand new cushioning and ride. If you ran in previous versions, it will feel similar but not exactly the same.
Nike moved from ZoomX cushioning to React foam. The Fly is soft in the heel but firm in the front to propel you forward. The update also brings enough foam in the forefront that you won't feel the carbon plate. You do feel as though you're being propelled forward.
As Nike says, the Fly is the trainer version of the Next%. It is durable and going to last 300-400 miles.
In summary, the only thing the Fly and Next% share in common are being released around the same time. It’s a good training shoe, but it's night and day from the Next%.
It’s genius marketing really because not everyone wants to pay $250 for a shoe, and more people are likely to pay for a shoe that looks similar and is cheaper.
Why Buy the Fly?
It’s the most durable and cheapest of the three. You should get between 300-400 miles in the shoe.
It’s a solid long run, fast workout shoe.
Along with aesthetic updates, the Turbo 2 has gone through a name change. The first version was called the Nike Pegasus 35 Turbo. Now it’s just the Nike Turbo 2.
The Turbo contains the same foam as the Next%. The significant difference is the Turbo’s lack of a carbon plate.
It’s considered the trainer of the Next% because you’ll get more mileage out of the shoe. It’s not just $70 cheaper – it’s $70 cheaper and you’ll get 2-3 times more life than the Next%. I have a full review coming on the blog soon.
So why buy the Nike Turbo 2?
You’ll get more mileage. It won’t last 400 miles, but you’re more likely to get 250-300.
It’s $70 cheaper than the Next%.
The Next%:
The Nike 4% is now updated to the “Next%”.
Why does the shoe help you run faster?
Is it mental?
Is it because you’ve trained your butt off and now are tapered?
Is it the shoe?
All are good questions. If you’re anything like me, you want to know how and why a carbon plate could help you run faster.
Here is the short answer: Most runners expend energy bending toe joints during impact. When you bend other areas such as your arch and ankles, they spring back into position ready for the next stride.
Your toes don’t do that, and energy is wasted. The carbon plate found in the Next% keeps your toes straighter which in turn saves energy. It moves with your foot. The curvature in the carbon plate almost functions as a spring. Combined with the ZoomX foam, the midsole creates the “energy savings.”
What is ZoomX?
Nike ZoomX foam is lighter, softer, and more responsive than any other Nike foam to date. ZoomX is created from a foam traditionally used in aerospace.
So in short, yes, the Next% has been proven to “work.” Here is a good article about it.
I ran in the previous version, the Nike Vaporfly, for the NYCM. I liked them; I didn’t love them. I PRed in the NYCM, but there were a lot of factors that led me to a PR, including the fact that I hadn’t run a marathon in 3.5 years. I don’t believe it was the shoes alone. I’ve run several races in the Vaporfly since then, and it’s not my favorite shoe. I've run both fast and slow times in the shoe.
Studies have shown the 4% technology results in improvements of up to 4%, but that doesn’t mean every person will get 4% faster from a shoe. The shoe was initially designed for proficient elites. Not every shoe works for every person.
How is the Next% Different from the 4%
First, the upper of the Next% absorbs far less water. If you ran Boston (or any race) in a torrential downpour, you know the 4% upper absorbed a lot of water. Nike claims the new upper material “Vaporweave” absorbs 93% less water.
A few more small updates:
A wider toe box
Asymmetrical laces (something I don’t think is necessary with any shoe)
Better fit in the heel
Traction at the bottom! Now if you run in the rain, you won’t be likely to slide halfway down the course.
I’ll have a full Next% review after I run the Big Cottonwood Marathon. I plan to run in the Next% since I don’t have a marathon shoe I love, and I stayed healthy during NYCM in the 4%.
The Question Will Now Become: Will Curved Carbon Plates be Banned?
As a swimmer in a previous life, I can remember when LZR swimsuits caused world record after world record to be broken. The swimsuits made you slightly more buoyant, which gave you a considerable advantage. Ultimately, the full-body LZR suits were banned from competition.
Will these carbon plates be the same way? Only time will tell. I’m leaning towards no because most shoe companies are projected to come out with a similar carbon plate design. Many elites from most companies are already racing in a prototype.
Here are a few situations where the Next% is not the ideal shoe:
Shorter distance races: Do you see many milers or 5kers using this shoe? No. It’s more of a 13.1mi and beyond shoe. If you’re looking for a fast 5k shoe along the same lines as the 4%, I recommend the Reebok Run Fast Pro.
On the trails: There is minimal traction, so there isn’t a good reason to race on trails in the shoe.
Finally…I don’t know why this isn’t talked about more: the shoe only lasts about 100-150 miles.
It’s designed to race two marathons optimally. That’s it. No more. If you want to pay $250 for two marathons, that is fine – just know you aren’t going to get 400 miles on it. That’s why I typically advise people only to use them for racing.
I know RunningCo. of Haddonfield has some in stock if you’re still looking (they ship too).
What’s Keeping Me Entertained:
NYCM Elite Field is Out! I love NYCM. I wasn’t sure which pros would race since it’s so close to trials, but this year looks like it will be great. I have to give a personal shout out to my good friend, Jen B, who will be racing in the pro field this year.
For the Long Run Pod: Dorothy Beal: Marathons and Mileposts: “Running doesn’t owe me anything”.
Sara Hall's Road to the Olympic Trials Includes the Berlin and NYC Marathon
Running With My Mom What We Talk About When We Talk About Running
Giveaway Winners:
Thank you, everyone, who shared! There were over 60 entries for the giveaway last week! Each share helps me reach my goal of 1000 subscribers by the end of summer!
The winner of the pair of CEP compression socks is: @RunInRedSox who shared on instagram (which made me laugh because you won socks Danielle).
The Winner of the Trigger Point MB5® Massage Ball is: @cooktraineatrace who shared on Instagram.
Finally, I appreciate every single email and try to respond to each message.
Any feedback good or bad is always helpful. Is there a specific topic you want to see more about? Don’t be a stranger and let me know! This newsletter came about because people wanted to know more about specific recovery tools.
You can email me at FueledbyLOLZ@gmail.com. All feedback is helpful, good or bad.
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