Nike + iPod system launches today @ Run to Win

A couple of months ago, I mentioned a press release about how Nike and Apple have teamed up to create a system to integrate your running shoes with your iPod. One of the websites that I follow, My Southern California Trail Running, is written by an ultramarathoner that works for Nike. She has these points about the system to share:

- There are about 4 or 5 pairs of shoes that are currently Nike+ capable. More are on the way, including stability shoes and probably (let’s hope) trail shoes.
- The Nike+ sensor only weights 6.5 grams
- This only works with the iPod Nano because the iPod Nano has no moving parts and makes for a more stable device to run with (regular ipods have a hard drive which can get messed up from running)
- If you cut a hole in your non-Nike shoe and insert the sensor it’s only about 50% accurate. Nike wear tested it this way. however, I know some of you all may try this. If you do I’d be curious to hear your results
- The sensor is 92% accurate out of the box and 98% after it’s calibrated for each person

I still do not plan on purchasing either the shoes or the iPod, although I will be trying to train in some Nike shoes in a few months. Thanks to Jessica for a few more details on the system; I look forward to reading reviews about it. Hopefully her foot will heal quickly so that she can personally test the system out in her own training.

6 Responses

Chris D. Says:
July 15th, 2006 at 9:20 am

My wife was checking this out yesterday. She said it looks pretty cool. We might pick her up a pair sometime. I just wish that they would work for both of us, but unfortunately they won’t. I’ll let you know if we do.

Ken Says:
July 16th, 2006 at 12:28 pm

50% accurate? That’s odd..when I tried to calibrate it, it was nearly perfect! On the other message boards I haven’t heard of anyone being this off with their statistics….

Blaine Moore Says:
July 16th, 2006 at 1:26 pm

50% if you cut a hole in a shoe not designed for it. Are you using Nike shoes with a slot? Then it�s 92% accurate off the shelf, and 98% accurate if it is calibrated.

Andrew Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 6:05 pm

It is too bad Nike does not make quality running shoes. At least in my humble opinion since I started using Brooks and Asics. They seem to put money into the oddest things but neglect the most fundamental.

Blaine Moore Says:
July 17th, 2006 at 9:15 pm

I’ve always liked Nike’s racing shoes, but never had much luck with their trainers. Now that I am on a team sponsored by them, however, I can get their shoes rediculously cheap so I ordered a few pair in the hopes that I can use them. If not, I will still have a few pairs of Asics that I’ll be using at the same time that I can always fall back on.