Li-Ning Win 2023 iF Design Award With Dragonflight Running Shoe
are being rewarded an iF Design Award in the Professional Concepts category with their unique Dragonflight marathon running shoe. The design distinctly ditches its midsole heels, encouraging runners to target their forefoot by way of changing the shoe’s stance.
The Dragonflight is designed for outright speed over long distances, but its dramatic biomechanics mean this isn’t a shoe for fun run rookies. It builds upon the thick-soled foam and carbon plate propulsion sandwich that has been in vogue for the past few years by emphasising the rocker-style curve to the forefoot. This works twofold by adding more cushioning material to the front and encouraging smoother ‘toe-off’. This is essential because, as mentioned, there is no heel to land on – the Dragonflight will reward runners who use it as intended and, conversely, punish those who don’t.
The iF Design Awards are one of the world’s most esteemed international design competitions, which recently saw over 11,000 entries from 57 countries in 2022. With its history dating back to 1953, the namesake iF Design organisation has been involved with some important names, including Dieter Rams and Wilhelm Wagenfeld.
The iF Design Award will be presented to Li-Ning at an award ceremony being held in Berlin on May 15.