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Nike’s ‘Super Shoes’ Spark Race to Outfit the World’s Runners
The footwear industry is betting technology, like carbon plates, that helped elite runners smash records will ignite sales.
Athletic footwear brands are bringing so-called “super shoes” to the masses.
Photographer: Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images
It should have been a perfect moment for Carson Caprara, head of footwear development for Brooks Running, when the company’s star athlete claimed bronze in the 1,500-meter finals at the Tokyo Olympics.
Instead, there was a catch. The runner, Britain’s Josh Kerr, wore shoes designed by Nike. That’s because, amid the complications of Covid-19, Brooks had been delayed in developing a version of next-generation track spikes that are transforming the sport.