Nike recently unveiled their newest tech-filled lineup of cleats that includes the CJ Elite TD, Calvin Johnson’s signature cleats, and three other designs that will aim to cater to the needs of any type of player. On the company’s website, Nike’s football cleat designer, Ken Link said, “We recognize different positions have different needs and wants.” He went on to talk about how Nike’s newest cleats will allow players of any size to play at the speed they want to.
&
Get The Latest Sports Tech News In Your Inbox!
The Nike Vapor Speed cleats, features the Vapor Untouchable, which will be the first football cleats that utilize Nike’s Flyknit technology. The Untouchable was made to make the cleats feel like a part of the feet and uses the Flyknit technology to give the player the support of a mid-cut shoe with the feel of a low-cut shoe.
The Untouchable, which was developed with the University of Oregon football team, includes a carbon fiber plate that returns energy, which returns the energy you are putting down into the cleat. Even the studs below the cleat have been optimized for speed as they have been tested specifically for the 40-yard dash.
The CJ Elite TD went with a Flyweave construction which allows for more lateral cutting with its stronger design. Calvin Johnson, who has been very involved in helping design the cleats, told Nike that he wanted a cleat that locked his foot in place, which led to the decision to use Flyweave. A unique feature of the cleat is that there is bulk where needed and more flexibility in other places which has resulted in a cleat that has a precise strength-to-weight ratio.
The last design named the Strike Speed was made to cater to the needs of the bigger players. When Link asked linemen Nidamukong Suh, a longtime vocal collaborator of Nike, about the his thoughts on cleats, he said, “Guys will try to wear shoes that aren’t built for their size because they want to be fast.” With this in mind, Nike made the LunarBeast Elite TD which is made of a very light material but has enough protection for the physicality that the bigger players go through on a regular basis.
Last but not least, the LunarBeast Elite TD has a cushioned midsole plate, which adds comfort and a shield that wraps up the ankle and Achilles for improved protection.
Nike has always been one the best in the business when it comes to using their technology and developing new technology to cater to player’s needs. Using the suggestions they have gotten from several marquee players is a wise move.