My magical Nike 4% shoes, reviewed

Nike’s Vapor Fly 4% racing shoes have been in great demand. They’re going for hundreds of dollars on the aftermarket due to their proven ability to improve your marathon time by approximately 4%.

In fact, I did PR when I wore them for the Disney Half Marathon. Since then, I’ve also noticed that they not only can improve my time, but they also have other subtle effects and borderline superpowers. Here are my observations after owning a pair for several months.

Revolutionary carbon fiber insert and ZoomX midsole foam reduces impact and creates a feeling of “springiness.”

Improves running economy — or the energy needed to run at a given pace — by as much as 6.26 percent with an average improvement of 4%, according to the CU-Boulder “Locomotion Lab.”

Corrects runners’ ankle mechanics thanks to the curved carbon-fiber plate that runs throughout the midsole from heel to toe.

Boasts an unusual degree of compliance (squishes when your foot lands) and an unusual degree of resilience (springs back to its original shape, returning…