How Nike’s Newest Running Shoe Flips the Script on “Durability”

What if durability wasn’t measured in miles?

Published November 12, 2024

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When it comes to shoes, most runners measure durability in distance. A solid example might last 300 to 500 miles before the midsole and outsole break down and your legs start to feel it — one of myriad reasons every brand in the world makes such a fuss about the foam and rubber found in its footwear.

The lifespan of Nike’s latest trainer, however, could be measured it school days.

That’s because the shoe, called the Cosmic Runner, is exclusive to children up to seven years old. And Nike made it to withstand the rigors of one of the most grueling places on the planet: the playground.

All in the upper

For the design, Nike focused not on the foam but the upper, reinforcing it with a layer of haptic printing that serves as a buffer against errant scrapes. Though the technology is omnipresent across Nike’s catalog, such as with the Metcon, the Cosmic Runner is still a first for the genre.

“The Cosmic Runner introduces technology that we’ve never used in kids’ running footwear before,” says Cal Dowers, the vice president of Nike’s Global Kids division, referring to the layered haptic printing. As such, it underscores Nike’s commitment to serving runners of all ages and needs, the company says.

The shoe also blends in elements typical among trail runners, such as a reinforced toe-tip and full-length rubber outsole. There are also elastic laces for easy entry, coupled with a pull tab on the tongue.