Designers could do more with less; athletes could move faster with more stability; environmentalists could reduce waste with more precise manufacturing. Four years of research, thousands of prototypes, and a mere 5.6 ounces per shoe: the Flyknit Racer is a marvel of sports science. Everyone from elite marathoners to weekend joggers could now run distance in a shoe as light as contemporary sprint spikes. Athletic pedigree, international fame, futuristic styling cues, and a price so high you’d think twice about beating on it. Small wonder the Flyknit Racer has since become one of the hottest fashion shoes in Nike’s portfolio.

Impressions

If you’ve never worn Flyknit before, the Racer will blow your mind. I remember walking down stairs the first day and recognizing that I was kicking my legs out further because the shoe was just that light. The weight savings throughout border on obsessive. Flyknit Racers even come with ultralight ribbon laces to shave off those last few grams. This is essentially a sock with a sole.