Maybe I should start stocking up on them lol. I'd buy the shoes just for the benefits of less stress on my legs.
Well, they will probably continue with them, I suppose local 5k races won't fuss?
Maybe I should start stocking up on them lol. I'd buy the shoes just for the benefits of less stress on my legs.
Well, they will probably continue with them, I suppose local 5k races won't fuss?
You can BUY all sorts of gear, for every other sport on earth, that you can't use in competition.
This isn't rocket science.
The shoes will still be made, and triathletes will still compete in them. So will you, unless you are world class or something.
Yup, all Nike ever cared about was pumping life into sales of one of their weaker areas within their running segment: racing flats. They got the jump on every other company, at a time when their running segment had been slipping for quite some time, and capitalized well with fantastic promotional stunts. Nike also got people back into their trainers again. They'll ride that momentum for a long time, even without elites wearing the shoes outside of any Breaking 1:55/2:10 events. They face diminishing returns from WRs & NRs, the cheapo PB & BQ desperado crowd will prove a substantial revenue stream for years to come.
There’s already a thread on this subject and you know it Mencken, ya stinker.
if you try to ban it then it just makes people want it more (AR-15's for example).
No guarantees but I don't think they will be banned.
If they are banned, I don't think Nike will continue producing them. Illegal sports equipment exists in sports like golf, but it's usually gimmicky and not on brand for a serious sports company.
On the off chance they are banned I will be stocking up as well. Hell I might buy extra and re-sell them when they become scarce.
I think Marathoninvestigation guy will report anyone wearing VF to BQ for DQ.
I love this. Nikes next stage of marketing " these bitches are so good , they must be illegal ". Nike are dominating the game , just like in the Jordan era .
When your product is simply too impressive for the sport. Interested to see what products are going to be brought out next by Nike.
game theory wrote:
No guarantees but I don't think they will be banned.
If they are banned, I don't think Nike will continue producing them. Illegal sports equipment exists in sports like golf, but it's usually gimmicky and not on brand for a serious sports company.
I wonder how many other illegal sports equipment was introduced by Nike though? This is a product where they put in the R&D dollars and they will probably stand behind.
It might be worth noticing that the only one to wear the Alphafly is Kipchoge, and this in an exhibition event.
tarckstar wrote:
It might be worth noticing that the only one to wear the Alphafly is Kipchoge, and this in an exhibition event.
Wrong. BTC sub-elites have worn them in many races. 2 qualified CIM 2018.
If the shoe is in fact banned, will non-elite athletes be penalized for racing in them? I struggle to imagine an enforcement system to check the shoes of everyone running, say, the NYC Marathon (50,000+ people) and disqualifying those who wear them.
Race directions should state that they're not allowed, just as many state that no rollerblades are allowed.
If banned, they will only be banned for use in IAAF-sanctioned competitions. Hobby joggers can wear whatever they want.
Can you elaborate on these BTC sub-elites.
I was under the impression, the only known wearer of the Alphafly (to race them) has been Kipchoge, from the prototype black pair to the white / pink ones at the event.
Nope, it doesn’t look like they will be banned at all.
No. I'm not allowed to wear socks with logos at championship races, but I still buy them because they're viable for 99% of my activity. Sure, Kipchoge or Trials athletes, Boston qualifier, etc. might not get to wear them, but that's at best 50k-100k people in a markets of tens of millions. No way in hell your local turkey trot will ban these, same goes for most races. There's also potential for them as injury reducing trainers, no rules dictating that.
Nike also already sunk money into R&D and the first production run. The shoes are well known and they can produce them for less than before. $$$ rules all.
thetrickstergib wrote:
Can you elaborate on these BTC sub-elites.
I was under the impression, the only known wearer of the Alphafly (to race them) has been Kipchoge, from the prototype black pair to the white / pink ones at the event.
.
Loads of pictures exist with BTC-sub elites testing the alphas in raaces. They are all black and basically serve as a "mule", (term from the auto industry). Gives nike more info on the durability and performance of the midsole and upper.