Pink flake in Nike’s house: the speed family expands with a new model less pushed than the ZoomX Vaporfly NE XT% and Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%. The new Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% were born, dedicated mainly to races and fast training.
The technological concentrate is first-rate and contains all the innovations recently introduced to the market by the Portland-based brand at a – relatively – more affordable price. In fact, we are talking about a 200 euro list price, which is largely justified by the technological content of these new shoes.
But let’s try to understand them better.
The heart is in the midsole
The new Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% were developed closely with Nike’s leading athletes and address two basic needs: cushioning and propulsion.
To try to give the best in both aspects, Nike used two different midsole compounds. React technology, which is more cushioning, was used at the heel to make the ride more comfortable and protective. In the midfoot and forefoot, Portland designers instead used ZoomX compound with two Zoom Air pods to maximize the propulsive phase, thereby increasing responsiveness and energy return.
A plate drowned in the midsole was also used in the Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% but with different material and purpose. In fact, if in the two more pushed sisters (Alphafly and Vaporfly) carbon was used to maximize the propulsive effect of the shoe, in this new model the plate is made of composite material and is used to make the roll smoother and to make the movement and the transition between the various materials that make up the midsole feel more fluid.
To make a long story short, the composite plate, in addition to propulsion is used as a trait d’union between the React and ZoomX compounds and to make the support on the two Zoom Air pods more homogeneous.
This is accompanied by an engineered outsole to optimize the shoe’s durability and traction. Sole present only on heel and forefoot to contain the total weight, which stabilizes at 277 grams (in size 9 US).
It is harder to explain than to perceive, partly because-in the practicality of everyday use-all of this is absolutely impossible to perceive. ;)
But we will talk about that in a moment.
Returning to Tempo NEXT%, the upper is made of Atomknit-a new version of the well-known Flyknit. With new weave and texture, Atomknit’s main task is to allow the foot to be one with the shoe. The moment you slip your foot in, you will feel the tongue area (there is no physical tongue because it is a single yarn) widen to allow you to enter but, once the lacing is closed, the upper is perfectly firm and snug against the foot.
Ultimately, as you might imagine, the new Tempo NEXT% revolves around the midsole-as it must in a running shoe designed to go fast.
How is it doing on the road?
As soon as you open the box, the Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% impose a certain reverential awe. You sense right away that they are shoes that, even aesthetically, make clear their sole purpose: to make you go faster.
You put them on your feet, and the absence of a padded tongue raises a puzzled eyebrow for fear that the lacing might disturb your foot. Not at all, it is a comfortable shoe and really fits like a glove.
In the first static stance, you immediately feel the generous heel cushioning and the presence of the two Zoom Air pods.
Obviously I can’t give you a full review because I’ve run too few miles on it yet, but first impressions are quite clear and clearly identify the bright spots and few shadows of these Tempo NEXT%.
As you may have guessed, they are not shoes for slow long runs-unless you are Kipchoge-but they express their best when you step on the accelerator.
The rolling phase between midfoot and forefoot is really very smooth and responsive, and the propulsion is clearly felt. So much so that sometimes you can even feel like your shoes want to go faster than your legs can.
They push, push, push.
You are there with a childlike smile on your face because you are having so much fun. While the soles – quite loud, actually – make you feel like you are a galloping horse.
And it is not a metaphorical consideration, it is more onomatopoeic.
The racing vocation of the Tempo NEXT% is perceived by the almost total lack of padding. Here, if I’m honest in my being an average user, I would have preferred a minimum of padding around the malleolus and heel.
But it is also true that if we want a shoe that puts comfort at its core, then we need to talk about Pegasus 37.
The Air Zoom Tempo NEXT% are made for running fast. And they know how to do it.
In conclusion
If you want shoes to perform at your best in fast workouts and races, these new Nike shoes are definitely on the shortlist of candidates for purchase. Despite a traditional drop (10 mm) and a not quite racing weight (277 g), they have extremely high propulsive capacity and responsiveness.
Of course, the price of 200 euros puts them in the premium range, but with all this technology, I think it’s normal.
For all the info, go to Nike.com