BY The thought of injury and the associated downtime is always a bummer, so for many of us runners, staying in good physical shape is top priority. The Nike React Infinity Run is the big news for 2020, and the shoe was developed with feedback from running enthusiasts to help you train injury-free.
Singaporean ultra-marathoner Lester Tan says, ““As runners, the degree of comfort provided by our shoes is of paramount importance. A shoe that’s not comfortable will adversely impact our running gait, thus contributing to a higher risk of injury.”
Caleb Goh, a runner and triathlon enthusiast, says, “I’ve been injured when I wore unsuitable shoes, or over trained. It’s really quite frustrating when that happens as you can't follow the training plans you have, and then have to show up at a race ill-prepared, or even miss the race entirely, which has happened to me. It’s a real downer when after months of planning, an injury stops you from starting a much-anticipated race.”
“For sure, besides user-induced poor posture that can lead to injury, having a non-optimal running form can contribute to problems as well,” says triathlete Chew Yiheng. “A supportive pair of shoes will not make you go faster, but is important to have because as you get tired, you may not be able to maintain a stable form and the shoe can help prevent injuries from poor landings.”
Race and Train with Confidence
Nike’s React, which was launched in 2017, is a proprietary cushioning foam that delivered stable cushioning and energy return.
The latest evolution of this material can be found in the Nike React Infinity Run, where it provides a soft, responsive platform and delivers it with a widened midsole. The shoe also has a rocker-like bottom, inspired by Nike’s ground-breaking 4% running shoe, which yields a more fluid transition from foot strike to toe off.
The result is a fine-tuned combination of efficiency and cushioning for a shoe that Nike’s engineers have noted offers a more democratic solution to stability, and an advance from traditional motion-control designs.
The Nike React Infinity Run is designed as an ideal for middle-mileage, moderate efforts. An external study by the British Columbia Sports Medicine Research Foundation (BCSMRF) on 226 runners in the Nike React Infinity Run and the Nike Structure 22, a traditional motion control shoe, showed that runners in the Nike React Infinity had a 52 per cent lower injury rate than in the motion control shoe, with wearers confirming that they felt less pain in their knees and feet.
The rocker-geometry of the React Infinity Run puts the shoe in a slight forward lean, moving a runner’s foot strike from heel to midfoot, or even forefoot. This creates a natural forward feel of propulsion. The wider platform and the supportive foam that accompanies it provides a reassuring feel as the shoe guides the foot in a smooth, straight line, reducing side-to-side wobbling and movement.
“Everyone wants to be able to train regularly and not have to worry too much about injury,” adds Caleb. “Having a shoe that can help to support the way we land, correct for small variances and encourage good form is a great assurance.”
Check out the Nike React Infinity Run yourself! Find it at Nike stores, or order online at nike.com.
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