Nike Zoom Ventulus Track and Field Shoe

The Nike Ventulus is a track spike designed for athletes running distances between 3,000 and 10,000 meters. Nike created this shoe with a lightweight upper made out of breathable mesh. The upper is held tightly to your foot by pebax injected support straps. The plate is a dual-density full-length plate with a phylon midsole and zoom air unit in the heel. There are four permanent steel spikes on the forefoot portion of the plate. This shoe weighs in at only 4.8 ounces and is sure to keep you comfortable and fast.

The original Ventulus was released in two different colors. The first color is an all white upper with a red swoosh, the second upper is has a spotted pattern with black dots surrounded by an orange and lightning yellow background. Both shoes have the same plates. Nike has also released the Ventulus Plus, a shoe with the same full-length spike plate, but a different upper. The upper on the Ventulus Plus is made of an open mesh material designed to maximize water drainage for events such as the steeplechase. There are also internal forefoot straps to help hold the foot over the footbed, increasing support from the upper.

When racing in the Nike Ventulus, I have found the shoe to be extremely comfortable and very supportive. The upper seems to hug the foot, holding it over the plate. The zoom air unit in the heel was great for 8k cross country races, as well as 10k track races. Due to the light weight of the shoe and minimal support compared to regular training shoes, after racing longer races of four to six miles, I did have sore ankle and lower leg muscles. Also, because the Ventulus has permanent spikes, if worn on courses with pavement, the spikes will quickly be worn down. For this reason, the Ventulus is best suited for rubberized tracks or golf courses.

Nike no longer produced the Ventulus, although select sizes are still able to be found at www.eastbay.com, and sometimes on www.ebay.com. Nike has recently released their Spring 2008 catalog which shows plans for a new Ventulus shoe. This new shoe will have a completely redesigned upper and spike plate. The 2008 version of the Ventulus is said to be priced at $110 per pair. Regardless of whether or not you run in the original Ventulus or grab a new pair, you are certain to be happy with this spike.