Nike Superfly Elite trainers

Superfly Elite

Ahead of the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Nike began designing an innovative new sprint shoe. Working with athlete Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who had won back-to-back 100m gold medals in Beijing and London, the brand developed a rapid racing silhouette called the Superfly Elite.

The original Nike Superfly Elite features a featherweight woven mesh upper that is breathable and fits snugly yet comfortably around the foot for secure lockdown. Its key innovation is a distinctive outsole plate with an open-cell geometric structure inspired by aquatic organisms and carefully crafted using information taken from Fraser-Pryce’s testing. This ensures it has exactly the right stiffness to provide sprinters with the propulsive energy return they need without compromising flexibility or restricting movement. It is also lightweight and durable, while its eight removable forefoot spikes produce optimal traction on straights and corners. Cushioning comes from the insole alone, which keeps weight to a minimum and gives the runner plenty of ground feel for superior stability and control.

In the women’s Olympic 100m final of 2016, six of the eight athletes were wearing the Superfly Elite in an eye-catching Volt colourway with a vibrant pink heel and a bold black Swoosh. Fraser-Pryce ended up coming third as compatriot Elaine Thompson, who was also running in the Nike Superfly Elite, took gold. Over in the men’s race, Justin Gatlin donned the shoe as he won silver behind the legendary Usain Bolt.

Nike announced its successor, the Superfly Elite 2, ahead of the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, including it in the ‘Rawdacious’ pack created for the games. It adopts a similar design to the first model, but enhances a number of features, starting with its ultra-lightweight AtomKnit upper. This upgraded version of Flyknit is precisely engineered to provide a snug, comfortable, contoured fit, high levels of breathability and minimal water absorption. Its notched laces are secured through dual eyelets with minimal reinforcements to keep them secure, the heel has a convenient pull tab, and the pad-print Swoosh adds bold style without increasing weight. Lockdown is improved through the padded heel cup, which also protects the Achilles, allowing the runner to maintain stability and control at top speed. Underfoot, its durable, propulsive outsole plate has a new generative cellular design, with strategically placed peaks to enhance grip when cornering. It better balances stiffness and flexibility, offering both comfort and speed, and its stainless steel pins give the same incredible levels of traction.

Remarkably lightweight and agile with a secure, sock-like upper and innovative propulsion plate, the Nike Superfly Elite is a fast, streamlined track spike that helps runners power through every part of a sprint at maximum speed and in full control.