The past century has been marked by many epoch-making events: wars, discoveries, revolutions, ideologies falling and others being born, and without a doubt, Berlin is the city that represented one of the most recent moments of change: the fall of the wall. Okay, we’re here to talk about running and I won’t go into historical pippin’ but, for a child of the 1970s, November 8 and 9, 1989 are dates that marked the change and unification of Europe.
The years of change
Those were the years of change, including musical change, I mention two events out of all: Roger Waters’ The Wall concert and the release of U2’s Achtung Baby, which begins, precisely, with Zoo Station. Now, however, let’s close the wiki corner and get down to business.
We’re in Berlin for the presentation of Nike’s Zoom collection, and the change – in this case – goes toward speed, with different interpretations: the responsive Pegasus 31, the Vomero 9, the Streaks, the very fast Elite 7s (we had already talked about them here) and-most importantly-the new protective Structure 18s.
A Zoom on Speed and Stability
Each shoe is an ecosystem, and the balance of the different elements (upper, midsole, sole) can result in an epic product or a total failure, either way defining its character. As for the Structure 18, the character is clearly geared toward stability and speed, both in terms of the weight and the responsiveness and dynamics of the shoe.
The upper is made of a lightweight mesh and, very importantly, is asymmetrical to increase support and anti-pronation support not only in stance but also in the “posture” of the foot.
The undisputed star of themidsole is the Zoom cushioning system, which makes Structure very responsive and fast thanks to special fibers inside the air chambers (in fact, the full name is Air Zoom) that take the energy of the stance and return it as the foot comes off. This system, combined with a 9-mm drop and a raised tip, makes for a very dynamic and fast roll.
The sole is structured to provide proper support for those who have problems with excessive foot pronation, thanks to composite materials that gradually increase in density to manage, cushion, and correct support.
First impressions
We are in Berlin, but where? The old Tempelhof Airport, East Berlin, where there is still an air of the Cold War and Russian spies transiting to the West (and vice versa, of course). The setting is almost awe-inspiring: a large lobby with a check-in desk and luggage conveyor belt where all the shoes from the Zoom collection are installed. And a corridor leading to the runway.
By now, the airport has been closed for a few years, but the asphalt is still good, and a 1,000-meter oval has been carved out that will be used to test Structure 18s. Two different tests: short track (150 meters or so) and two laps of the oval together with athletes of the caliber of Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad (we will elaborate on the meeting with him at another time).
The temperature is cool, the air is humid, pretty much the perfect conditions for a shoe test and to test the new Flash Pack line of clothing (comfortable, with good muscle support and blind-proof reflective properties! Super safe!).
Structure 18s are unquestionably protective, and the support can be felt. The foot is accompanied and guided toward the correct movement, especially when running on regular and relaxed rhythms. On the sprint, the responsiveness of the Zoom system is felt throughout, just as the very elevated toe facilitates the roll-up typical of fast times: little heel, lots of forefoot, thanks in part to the 9-mm drop that makes for a more natural stance.
