Vaporfly 4% and Achilles

+1

I think they caused my problems.

There is a review of the Vapor flys floating out there by a couple of doctors who seem to suggest that the runners with these issues needs to do some stretching/exercises to prepare for the use of the 4%s

Do a lot of calf raises and toe walks

Too stiff? wrote:

Has anyone else developed achilles/lower leg issues with the vaporfly or fly? The extreme stiffness seems to direct a lot of stress to that part of the foot. I've heard occasional references to this, but I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk of it.

Do you use them for training runs? Or to just race ?

personally I had the opposite, at least with the zoom fly. I used the zoom fly for any sort of interval or faster stuff for a few months as I eased into a track season after bad achilles tendonitis. The cushion and the high drop take a lot of stress off your achilles especially when compared to traditional racing flats. Also I remember when the vp 4% was released, part of the 4% number comes from the fact that the plate allows much of your calf and lower leg muscles to disengage as the plate and foam take a lot of the shock of your downstep, thus taking pressure off your achilles.

G. Rupp wrote:

+1

I think they caused my problems.

... But, to be fair, I should also really have acknowledged that at least they allowed me to move on from being that 2:10 guy. Thanks Vaporflys!

Check the archives, I was the only one saying this at the start.

I actually tried on the Zoom Flys for the first time 16 hrs ago, gosh do they feel different to the Zantes I had on.

The Zoom Fly's suck asss. The stiff heel counter gave me all kinds of problems.

HOWEVER - here was the answer to my problem and I expect it will be for yours:

Zoom Fly SP model

They are less stiff, have no heel counter, extremely comfortable and are fast.

Zoom Fly's are losers, much like Jamin wrote:

Zoom Fly SP model

They are less stiff, have no heel counter, extremely comfortable and are fast.

The SP has a full carbon fiber plate compared to the Fly’s carbon infused nylon plate. The SPs are stiffer, however I agree with the rest of what you said.

Dr. Worm wrote:

There is a review of the Vapor flys floating out there by a couple of doctors who seem to suggest that the runners with these issues needs to do some stretching/exercises to prepare for the use of the 4%s

I wish Nike made a 2% to help transition to the 4%.

Heyyyy wrote:

Zoom Fly's are losers, much like Jamin wrote:

Zoom Fly SP model

They are less stiff, have no heel counter, extremely comfortable and are fast.

The SP has a full carbon fiber plate compared to the Fly’s carbon infused nylon plate. The SPs are stiffer, however I agree with the rest of what you said.

No it doesn't.

I have a little bit of achilles tendonitis but no real pain. Everytime I race in the vaporfly 3 they make my achilles stiff and inflamed for a day or two afterwards. Trying to work out why...

Because instead of your feet being able to flex and properly toe-off, the shoes hold your feet stiffly. This means your achilles has to bear the brunt of the lever power on push-off.

Yeah, I developed plantar fasciitis after my use in the next %. I think a combination of a weak lower leg plus the stiffness will make it hard to handle for some.