Liu Xiang in his hunt for gold and recapturing his record again at the Beijing Olympics, he has collaborated with his sponsor NIKE to create him a specially designed spikes for this former 110 Hurdles world record holder

It is claimed to be a revolutionary spike where it uses the Flywire technology that provides maximum support but at a fraction of the weight of most other spikes weight. Nike has created a special synthetic leather for this new design concept

Features:

1. Flywire is a performance architecture that utilizes very thin and incredibly strong fibers to support the foot allowing Nike designers to create some of the lightest footwear to date
2. Flywire consists of high-density nylon fibers placed in carefully chosen locations, precisely where the foot needs it
3. These fibers act like an extra layer of epidermis containing light, man-made tendons and also shave weight off the shoe
4. Flywire also provides a supported, locked-down fit reduce foot slippage within the shoe, something that wastes a significant amount of energy per stride
5. Nike designers engineered the upper of the Zoom Aerofly LX with the strap and zipper design that Liu Xiang is accustomed to.
6. For the outsole, Nike designers studied the performance needs of Liu Xiang. A powerful and explosive hurdler, Liu Xiang hits the ground hard with each stride and must spring up quickly after impact. To meet these needs, Nike’s designers utilized specially made mico-carbon soles to provide firm frontal support
7. Knowing that Liu Xiang lands on his forefoot following a hurdle, the designers used micro-carbon material in the forefoot to help provide forefoot support.
8. Working closely with the Nike designers, one of the things that he likes best is that there are only 5 spikes at the front, reducing the weight of the shoe. The ergonomically placed spikes also helped to reduce pressure on the forefoot and increase traction

And Liu Xiang verdict after trying the spikes, “the uppers fit the foot perfectly and are incredibly light and comfortable”

The Chinaman formerly wears the Zoom Superfly G5 in Athens 2004 where he won Olympic gold, he then moved to wearing custom designed spikes the next year.

The Zoom Superfly G5 LX was his next choice, where he broke the world 110m hurdle men’s record with it. An improved Zoom Hurdle Liu in 2006 saw him breaking the Asian Games record in the following year

Now we await for the the NIKE Zoom Aerofly LX spike which will make its debut at the Beijing games. It’s distinctively colors of bright red and orange of China is unmistakable and you can’t miss it