The 2025 Grand Slam Track (GST) season is heating up, and reigning Olympic 100m hurdles champ Masai Russell isn’t holding back. At the GST’s debut event in Kingston, Jamaica (April 4–6), Russell faced fierce crosswinds and one of the deepest fields in GST history. She clocked 12.78 seconds in the 100m hurdles, finishing fifth—not the podium she wanted, but undeniable proof that even champions grind through the storm.

So, what keeps Russell charging when the stakes are high and the elements brutal? Look no further than what’s on her feet. In a sport where milliseconds separate glory from heartbreak, Russell’s spikes aren’t just gear—they’re her weapon. From Olympic gold to gritty GST showdowns, her footwear fuses cutting-edge tech with durability built for hurricane-force headwinds and cutthroat competition.

But what exactly is she lacing up? How do her spikes hold up to the explosive demands of hurdling? Read on as we break down the gear powering Masai Russell’s high-stakes 2025 season.

What shoes does Masai Russell wear?

After shattering the NCAA 100m hurdles record, Masai Russell inked a major sponsorship deal with Nike in 2024, officially joining their elite track roster. Ever since, she’s hit the starting blocks repping the Swoosh. While Russell hasn’t publicly confirmed her exact spike model—a move Nike loves for mystique—there’s strong reason to believe she’s rocking one of their elite hurdler-focused designs.

Athletes in her tier lean toward Nike’s Air Zoom Maxfly or Zoom Superfly Elite 2—two flagship models engineered for track warriors chasing fractions of a second. Think: featherlight uppers for snappy takeoffs, stiff plates for hurdle clearance precision, and tech that absorbs impact without bleeding speed.

And Russell doesn’t just wear the gear—she’s part of the face of it. In March 2025, she appeared in Nike’s global campaign for the Air Max Dn8, showcasing her power and form alongside the brand’s newest performance tech. Whether she trains in them or races in something even more advanced, it’s clear: Nike trusts her to represent speed.

Until Nike confirms her race-day pick, we’re left to decode the details—but one thing’s clear: Whatever Russell’s wearing is forged for fight mode.

Are Masai Russell’s shoes custom-made by Nike?

Masai Russell’s rise to elite status isn’t just a testament to her talent—it’s a signal that she’s part of Nike’s inner circle of athletes who get more than just off-the-shelf gear. Though her race spikes haven’t been publicly named, Russell’s close partnership with Nike makes one thing likely: her footwear is custom-built for dominance.

After signing with Nike in 2024, Russell quickly became a core figure in their performance ecosystem. In early 2025, she starred in Nike’s Air Max Dn8 campaign, where she was photographed by French creative Ilya Chemetoff as one of eight elite athletes featured globally. The campaign, which spotlighted Nike’s most advanced “Dynamic Air” tech, further positioned Russell as more than just an athlete—she’s a collaborator.

For top-tier hurdlers like her, Nike routinely engineers tailored versions of their highest-performance spikes. These customs may feature modified plates, adjusted heel-to-toe drops, or unique upper materials to align with each athlete’s biomechanics and event-specific needs. It’s all about maximizing precision, comfort, and power over 100 meters and 10 hurdles.

Russell hasn’t revealed if she races in modified Maxflys, a prototype, or something built entirely for her—but given Nike’s history with elite customization, it’s highly probable that her spikes are one-of-one builds, forged to meet the brutal demands of her event and training load.

In a game where hundredths of a second matter, Russell’s shoes aren’t just special—they’re strategic assets.

Where can you buy the same track spikes worn by Masai Russell?

While her exact spike model is still a secret, two front-runners dominate the track scene—and they’re likely in her rotation:

Nike Air Zoom Maxfly
Tailored for elite sprinters and hurdlers. A forefoot Zoom Air unit delivers explosive bounce, while a full-length carbon plate rockets you out of the blocks with authority.

Nike Zoom Superfly Elite 2
Known for its AtomKnit upper and aggressive 8-pin plate, this spike grips the track like a vice. It’s a go-to for precision turns and rapid transitions—perfect for the 100m hurdles grind.

Where to buy:

Nike.com—for the latest colorways and exclusive releases

Dick’s Sporting Goods—wide selection, size availability, and easy returns

Running Warehouse—athlete reviews, training tips, and deep stock

Pro tip: Set alerts. These models sell out fast—especially with Russell lighting up the track.

What’s next for Masai Russell?

Russell’s 2025 campaign is just getting started. Here’s where you can catch her blazing the lanes next:

Miami GST Meet—May 2–4
Two races in three days under the blazing Florida sun. Expect fireworks.

Philadelphia GST Stop—May 30–June 1
Fast surface, even faster field. Another chance to close the gap to the podium.

Los Angeles GST Finale—June 27–29
Sunset sprints on the West Coast. Russell will be hunting wins—and records.

Through it all, her spikes—likely the Maxfly’s carbon-plated thrust or the Superfly Elite 2’s claw-like grip—will be her silent partners in battle. Whether she’s weathering wind in Kingston or chasing hardware in L.A., her footwear is built for survival and domination.

Mark your calendars. Lace up. Watch how pros turn pressure into performance. When the starting gun fires in Miami, it’s not just a race. It’s war—and Russell’s spikes? Locked, loaded, lethal. Yours?