Following the success of the Nike Zoom VaporFly Elite, Eliud Kipchoge and Nike got together to create and approve the Nike Zoom VaporFly Elite Flyprint running shoe.

The designers revisited a new application of a performance-printed 3D upper they’d been experimenting with. They coined it Nike Flyprint and showed it to Kipchoge.

The process of solving expressly for Kipchoge’s needs began in earnest in early 2018. Designers kicked off a rapid-fire prototyping phase (where they went through thousands of upper possibilities before hitting “print” on several variations for each prototype and selected version “D” for trial).

Designers made updates to the shoe in hours, and it took only nine days to get the next round of samples, version “E,” to Kenya (most of this time due to shipping). Shortly after that, Kipchoge tested and approved the next version, “F.” That’s when he said he was ready to wear them in London.

Nike Zoom VaporFly Elite Flyprint Release Date

Kipchoge will race his next marathon on April 22nd in London wearing his Nike Zoom VaporFly Elite Flyprint. That weekend, a limited run of the shoes will be sold in London through the Nike App.