There has been a lot of talk in recent years about super shoes. Is it a coincidence that records are constantly being broken on public roads? How much of a role do shoes and the technology that big companies develop and apply to them play?

My personal opinion is that there are two reasons why records are constantly being broken.

First, many top endurance athletes have focused on these events, which was not the case before 2010. The global running movement has exploded and the money spent by major sports companies is a lot, since they bring them corresponding revenues. Consequently, the money that athletes earn by representing the companies is a lot, as well as the money they earn from their victories in major events. Indicatively, to understand the amounts of money that are being circulated, I will mention that it is no coincidence that the new racing shoe from a top company is not available in the field. Its price is over 300€. A decade ago, an average runner would consider spending half that money on the purchase of a pair of shoes.

The second reason is the technology of racing shoes. The money spent on research and development of shoe technology and more certainly brings results. However, the gap between a top runner and an average athlete is huge. What gain does an average athlete have in their performance? Is it worth spending so much money for a few races?

Wearing these types of shoes, I found that they have three common characteristics and two advantages over conventional ones.

• Their geometry. Their first common characteristic is that they are high and in front of the toe they have a strong slope. This is an advantage for athletes who run with the front of the foot (barefoot) as it helps the force they put out to come forward and not up and thus results in the correct movement - rolling of the feet (athletes exploit the moment of inertia with the correct movement of the hands and the rolling of the feet).

• Their soft touch. Their second feature is the special soft foam in their sole. Because of the foam, the impacts on the ground are not as strong, resulting in the leg muscles being kept “fresher” for more kilometers. Also, although the foam is soft, therefore it “sinks” and therefore absorbs shocks, it has an immediate return to its original shape so that on the next impact with the ground it has returned to its original state. This is the second advantage.
• In conclusion, I believe that the carbon fiber plate, which is their third feature, has nothing to do with running performance but with holding, giving body to the soft foam, and making the shoe stable.

The above helps to improve the road economy.

But what about someone who doesn't have this running style?

Usually, athletes who run at a slower pace step with their heel and do not push hard with the front area of ​​the foot. So they lose the first very important advantage. Even the soft step, which is also a function of the body weight of the athlete wearing the shoe, can be found in much cheaper shoes. I would say that at paces slower than 3’50”/km – 3’55”/km, there is very little to gain in proportion to the purchase price of a pair of super shoes, compared to conventional shoes. However, if someone has the money, likes the feel and the look, why not experience it?