The Nike+ Running App has always tracked your distance, pace, time, and calories burned, but the updated version does even more than this as well. For one, the new Nike+ Running App cheers you on. You can post the start of your run to your Facebook, and you can hear real-time cheers for each comment or like you receive. If that is not enough motivation, you can activate a Powersong to inspire you to go the distance. Nike has also added new challenges to the home screen, and updated the navigation layout to a more user-friendly interface that is easier to operate during runs.

So if you already have the Nike+ Running App for iPhone or Android, make sure you have the latest 4.0 updated version. If you are a runner and don’t have the system yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. You will surely thank yourself later.

The Nike+ Flyknit Racer only weighs 160 grams (5.6 ounces), making it incredibly light and adding to the performance of the shoe. The waffleskin rubber outsole gives added traction, and a Nike Zoom unit in the forefoot makes for a responsive and cushioned ride. The Nike+ Flyknit Trainer also has a Nike Zoom unit in the forefoot for cushioning and responsiveness, but also has additional Flywire threads that wrap the midfoot for increased stability.

The Nike+ Flyknit Racer and the Nike+ Flyknit Trainer display Nike’s unrivaled innovation. Designing a line of shoes that is not only top of the line performance wise, but are also simply amazing to look at is no easy task, but Nike executed to a tee.

Nike has a great number of Zoom Air products, including the Zoom Structure+ 15, which are perfect for runners seeking a smooth and cushioned ride.

The Zoom Elite+ 5 is perfect for women who desire the same performance from their running shoes. Both of these shoes are lightweight, comprised of predominately mesh uppers, which also adds for breathability.

The two aforementioned products including many others from Nike with Zoom Air Cushioning are ideal for athletes who require a quick response from their athletic shoe.

Basically, Nike took three of their already high-performance running shoes and specially adorned them with bonus added features. Included in all three models are reflective panels for greater visibility, and weatherized mesh to keep wetness out and stay dry.

The first of the three models is the Free Run+ Shield. For a more natural feel, this is the one to go with, as its deeply articulated flex grooves promote a more true-to-form stride.

Nike Free Run+ 3 Shield

Then there’s the LunarGlide+ Shield, which is all about support. LunarLon cushioning in the midsole gives you a solid and comfortable foundation. Add that to the flywire threads weaving throughout the upper to cradle the foot, and support is at its maximum with this pair.

Nike LunarGlide+ 4 Shield

And now for the best of both worlds; the Nike Air Pegasus+ Shield. Essentially a combination of the previously introduced sneakers, it provides support and comfort in addition to having a natural feel to them. That’s due to the zoom cushioning in the heel and flex grooves imported from the Free Run+.

Nike Air Pegasus+ 29 Shield

Whatever your flavor, Nike has provided the tools necessary to keep the serious athlete going through the winter.

Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman built a brand with a waffle iron and a desire to make running shoes that better served his track athletes at the University of Oregon. As a coach at the Eugene, Oregon institution, Bowerman started a partnership with Phil Knight, a former Oregon miler, to create a sneaker distribution company  called Blue Ribbon Sports, which later became Nike, Inc.

In the 1960s, Bowerman’s design savvy led to the creation of sneakers such as the Nike Cortez, which today stands as one of the most iconic Nike silhouettes of all time. With the launch of the Waffle Trainer in 1974, whose tread was famously created with Bowerman’s wife’s waffle iron, Nike and Bowerman cemented their place in sneaker history, launching the brand toward the forefront of sportswear technology and style. Today, Nike’s world headquarters are located at One Bowerman Drive in Beaverton, Oregon, an ode to the legacy and influence of the Oregon Track and Field coach who helped shape the brand’s products, outlook and attitude.

What started on the feet of athletes, like Phil Knight and the legendary Steve Prefontaine, along with a waffle iron, has since turned into a full-fledged company dedicated to providing runners with the gear they need to compete both at the highest level of competition, and as everyday athletes. As Bowerman famously stated, “If you have a body, you are an athlete.” With that mantra in mind and a brand DNA deeply tied to the track, Nike has managed to push the boundaries of sport and style while offering consumers products that allow them ultimate control over their performance.

Recent releases such as the Nike Flyknit 1+ continue to show firsthand the drive Nike has to providing athletes the most innovative footwear anywhere.

The Vortex makes its return covered in classic nylon material, while adding a weathered mid-sole that gives the sneaker a vintage look. Nike’s patented air cushioning, strategically placed suede overlays, and flex grooved outsole provide unmatched comfort, support and traction that make this release a welcome one from Nike’s vault.