The Nike Vaporfly 4% is made from advanced foam combined with a carbon fiber sole to return 4% of the energy from one stride to the next. In a test supervised by the New York Times, an athlete wearing the standard version of the Vaporfly 4% ran 4% to 5% faster than an athlete wearing a regular running shoe.
Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge wore the Vaporfly 4% and broke the record for the first time in a two-hour marathon last October, while Brigid Kosgei wore the same shoes and broke the women’s marathon record the following day.
According to the London Times, the Vaporfly 4% will be banned by World Athletics, the international body responsible for deciding what products athletes are allowed to wear in competitions around the world, later this year. However, the Guardian is skeptical of this claim, citing multiple sources who say a blanket ban is unlikely. Instead, the paper says there will be some restrictions on carbon sole technology.
When asked about the matter, Nike declined to comment, as did World Athletics. However, the International Olympic Committee confirmed that the “rules and regulations” of running are the responsibility of World Athletics. In other words, if World Athletics bans the Vaporfly 4%, the shoe may not be used at future Olympics.
