# Featherweight Running Shoes The Nike Air Zoom Elite 7 Shoes Are Designed for Speedy Runs By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-08-14 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-air-zoom-elite References: [weartesters](http://weartesters.com/nike-air-zoom-elite-7-now-available/) & [nikeinc](http://nikeinc.com/news/sleek-new-nike-air-zoom-elite-7-the-lightest-yet) The [Nike](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zoom-fly-6) Air Zoom Elite 7 is the latest offering in the seven-year history of the high-speed [Zoom Air](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alphafly-3-sneaker) running shoe. The shoe's design was considerably influenced by insights from athletes. Nike's researchers found that elite and amateur athletes incorporate high-tempo runs into their training, pushing their pace to higher levels. The Nike Air Zoom Elite 7 features Zoom Air material in the forefoot to provide responsive cushioning at high-speed tempo runs, when runners strike the ground with their forefoot. The shoe also sports a highly streamlined design with a heel-to-toe offset of eight millimeters, a result of athletes' preference for lower profile shoes. The shoes are also very lightweight, the men's size 10 weighing 9.6 ounces and the women's size 8 weighing only 8 ounces. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 39% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Responsive Cushioning:** Opportunity for developing innovative materials and technologies that provide responsive cushioning for high-speed tempo runs. - **Streamlined Design:** Opportunity to create sleek and low-profile designs for running shoes, based on athletes' preference for lower profile shoes. - **Lightweight Construction:** Opportunity to develop lightweight materials and construction techniques for running shoes, enabling a more comfortable and agile running experience. ### Who This Affects Most - **Sports Footwear:** Sports footwear companies can explore innovative materials and designs to create responsive and lightweight running shoes. - **Athletic Research and Development:** Opportunity for research and development teams to gather insights from athletes and develop products that meet their specific needs. - **Fitness and Wellness:** Fitness and wellness industries can benefit from integrating lightweight and responsive running shoes into their training programs and equipment offerings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Chunky High-Performance Runners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zoom-fly-6.md) - [Structural Performance Running Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fastrb-nitro-elite.md) - [Performance Running Footwear Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/performance-running-footwear.md) - [Premium Air-Tech Cushioned Runners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pegasus-premium.md) - [Athletic Performance Essentials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-running-collection.md) - [High-Mileage Off-Grid Trail Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-zegama-2.md) - [Hyper-Futuristic Running Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fast-rb-nitrotm-elite.md) - [Agile Elite Runner Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/on-running-cloudultra.md) - [Boutique Brand Super Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tracksmith-eliot-racer.md)