While it is always nice to have a shoe that fits nicely, when it comes to long-distance running, it is not about “nice” but “necessary.” A shoe that feels ok for a 3 mile run can have some pretty bad things happen over the course of 26.2 miles. Nike is launching an app feature that will make sure that fit is perfect whenever you shop for shoes.
Awesome New Nike App Coming to Help You Get the Best Shoe Fit
Image courtesy of Nike
Those of us that run marathons probably already have a brand and model of shoe that we like to use. For me, that is ASICs Kayano shoes. I first started wearing the Kayanos back in Kayano 12 land (for my first marathon in 2007) and am now into Kayano 25. I just like the way they feel and they always (almost always – one model tried some off-centered lacing) can be depended on by me for the long run.
Nike Using AR to Size Your Feet
But, with shoe technology getting more sophisticated (Nike even has a shoe called the “Vaporfly 4% that can help take some time off your race), many runners may be willing to experiment with different brands. If you are someone who wants to try Nike or maybe you are a Nike runner and you want to check for a different shoe, Nike will have you covered – even at home – to help you get that perfect fit.
Image courtesy of Nike
The new app feature (for iOS only this summer) is called “Nike Fit” and will use the AR (augmented reality)features of your iPhone to get the exact size of your foot. Not only that, but it will also be able to help you see which foot may be a little longer than the other and then you can use that data to get the right shoe fit for you.
This is helpful since the sizing can be slightly different from model to model and this new feature will help you know in less than a minute which size you would be in which Nike shoe. This technology will help when you visit a retail shop as well since the reps can scan your QR code in-app to get that information and help you get that exact shoe and size you are looking for.
How accurate is this new app? It will size your feet dimensions down to 2mm! That will ensure you are getting a precise fit of a shoe!
Here is what Nike says about how to apply this technology:
For example, if you have used Nike Fit to scan your feet and you go to purchase a Nike Cortez on the Nike app, you won’t see a run of sizes anymore. Instead, you’ll just see your size for that particular shoe. Then, if you go to buy a Nike Air Zoom Pegasus you might see another size. That’s because different shoes are made with different performance intent – a running shoe works best for the athlete when a little more snug while a sportswear shoe is designed to have more room for everyday wear.
This Technology Does Not Replace a Running Shop for Helping with Foot Fall Patterns!
However, it will not help you decide which model is best for you for running. Runners have several foot tendencies on landing – whether they land flat (and need more cushioning – called a “neutral” shoe), land more on the inside of their foot (called “pronating” and can need a stability shoe), or land more on the outside (called “supinating” and need a shoe to shore up that outside part).
For a overpronator to wear a neutral shoe, it can cause pain up to the knee as the foot does not have the support to prevent the inside lower leg muscles from being pulled down. So, getting the right kind of shoe is super important (and, for first-timers, this typically means going to a running shop to get checked out).
Custom, 3D Printed Shoes In the Future?
Still, it is nice to see technology coming out like this. It will be cool to see this mixed with the 3D printed technology down the road so you can pick what kind of runner you are, input your weight and height, and then have your shoe sized. Submitting all that info with the push of a button would generate an automated process to get your shoe “printed” to your perfect specifications. That will be super cool!
Until then, US customers can start using this new app feature this summer with other customers following a few months later.
Source: Nike Press Release
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I
get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be
subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.