Revolutionary 'Super Shoes': An Impressive Leap Forward for Distance Running or a Controversial Advantage?
Super shoes are revolutionizing distance running, propelling athletes to new heights While some embrace their game-changing technology, others question whether they truly enhance the sport Speed and performance take precedence over durability, as these plastic athletics propel runners to a new stratosphere
The rivalry in distance running that is currently considered the most intense does not involve two of the world's top athletes, but rather, it is seen in the major marathon races taking place worldwide.
Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa's remarkable performance at the Berlin Marathon six weeks ago, where she finished in a stunning time of two hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds, surpassing the previous best time by over two minutes, completely redefined the limits of what was thought possible in women's marathon running.
Later on Instagram, CEO Bjørn Gulden expressed his pride in Tigist Assefa, recognizing her groundbreaking victory and applauding Adidas for providing her with the stylish platformed shoes.
Two weeks later, another brand was celebrating a world record alongside Nike. Meet Kelvin Kiptum, a 23-year-old Kenyan athlete who stood out at the Chicago Marathon with his vibrant orange and red Nikes paired with bright pink socks.
In only his third marathon, Kiptum completed the race in an impressive time of two hours and 35 seconds. This was 34 seconds quicker than the previous world record set by fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, hailed as one of the greatest long-distance runners in history.
Kiptum sets off behind two pacesetters at the Chicago Marathon last month.
The rapid succession of these two records has intensified the discussion surrounding the impact of carbon-plated shoes, commonly known as "super shoes," on the world of distance running. Currently, these shoes are donned by nearly all top-tier marathon runners, whether it be for competitions or regular training sessions. Additionally, many recreational runners have also embraced them.
There are contrasting viewpoints regarding the new technology. While some individuals embrace it, stating that it enhances the sport by leading to numerous world records and faster times, others, like experienced coach Peter Thompson, argue that it obscures performance and eliminates the sense of "natural progression" in distance running.
According to Thompson, brands prioritize their own interests rather than the well-being of the sport. Consequently, it transforms into a battle among brands, focusing on who possesses superior materials and architectural designs.
"At the moment," he added, "its become shoe wars."
Speed over durability
Thompson, known for his contribution to renowned brands such as Nike, Reebok, and Hoka in designing running shoes and track spikes, describes the rigid, curved plates found in contemporary running footwear as "external recoil devices," enhancing propulsion even further. These plates are integrated into the thick yet lightweight foam soles, which adhere to the World Athletics' regulations, limiting their height to a maximum of 40 millimeters. Additionally, these soles are complemented by ultra-thin, minimalist uppers.
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, which was previously unused in races before Assefa's world record, became available for purchase at $500 during the same period. These shoes are incredibly lightweight, weighing only 138 grams, with a 39-millimeter-thick heel. According to Adidas, they enhance running economy and offer the wearer higher energy return. Assefa credited her world record to a year of hard work and praised the shoes as the lightest racing shoes she has ever worn prior to the race.
"Running in them is an incredible experience - like nothing Ive felt before," she said.
Assefa (right) displays her Adidas shoe ahead of the Berlin Marathon in September.
Luciano Lima/Getty Images
Adidas informed CNN that 521 pairs of the shoe were launched in conjunction with the Berlin Marathon and quickly sold out. A second release is scheduled for November.
Adidas stated that these shoes are specifically designed for a single marathon race and training purposes. The durability of the shoes will vary depending on the athlete wearing them and the conditions in which they are used.
The short lifespan of these shoes has sparked controversy. The Green Runners, an environmental group, argues that it promotes the acceptance of excessive shoe consumption. However, Adidas denies the claim that it is a disposable product. CNN interviewed Thomas Allen, a sports engineer at Manchester Metropolitan University, who stated that these shoes prioritize performance over longevity.
Whenever you design something, compromises are inevitable in various aspects. In this specific case, it can be likened to a Formula One car that aims to optimize speed rather than durability.
Assefa celebrates her huge world record in Berlin.
Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images
Nike has dominated the competition in the realm of running shoes since its Zoom Vaporfly model was worn by three athletes, including Kipchoge, during the men's marathon at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Known as "the fastest marathon shoe in the world," Nike's newest release, the Alphafly 3, was worn by Kiptum and women's champion Sifan Hassan in Chicago. Following Kiptum's record-breaking performance, Nike announced that the shoe would be available for purchase to the public in January 2024.
When asked to respond to this story, Nike informed CNN that they have conducted experiments in their laboratories which demonstrate the tangible advantages of Nike racing shoes. However, it is the athletes who test our products on the roads and validate our efforts.
Nike remains committed to prioritizing the needs of the athlete and will continue to introduce pioneering advancements for both professional athletes and casual runners.
Plastic athletics
It would be hard to argue that super shoes havent made the worlds fastest marathon runners even faster.
Of the top 20 best times in history on the mens all-time list, 15 have been recorded since 2018, which was the year prior to Kipchoge's groundbreaking sub-two-hour marathon achieved with the assistance of Nike super shoes designed for specific conditions. Similarly, on the womens side, 17 of the fastest times have been achieved since 2018. Tim Hutchings, a former distance runner who competed for Great Britain in the 1984 Olympics, expressed his admiration for exceptional athletic performances but also acknowledged a sense of skepticism due to the lack of historical context caused by the introduction of this new generation of footwear.
"These records are not genuine records," Hutchings criticized. "They may be considered records in the modern era, but they do not truly hold the same significance... It's almost like plastic athletics, as it has become too commonplace.
"The value and integrity of records have significantly depreciated and diluted. It has become a competition between the laboratory experts rather than the athletes performing on the roads and tracks."
Hutchings speaks during a press conference ahead of the Prague Half Marathon in March.
Jaroslav Svoboda/CTK/AP
Hutchings, a renowned broadcaster at marathon races globally, proposes the revision of running record books to include the impact of super shoes, thereby recognizing two distinct eras in the sport.
He expressed that we are currently in a phase of chaos and exploration, and in my opinion, there is ample opportunity to establish a ruling, albeit with hindsight. World Athletics, the worldwide governing body for sports, stated in its written response to CNN that world records "continue to develop over time" in all our fields and competitions.
World records have consistently been achieved using the most advanced technology throughout the history of our sport, and this remains unchanged today. Apart from technological advancements, there are numerous factors that contribute to the continuous enhancement of athletic performances in our discipline. We are currently experiencing an exhilarating era in our sport, and we wholeheartedly embrace the remarkable level of competition we are witnessing. This is predominantly attributed to the exceptional coaching, training, and dedication displayed by our gifted athletes.
New stratosphere
Despite the demanding and hilly terrain of the course, it is improbable that any world records will be established during the upcoming New York City Marathon. Nevertheless, both amateur and professional runners alike can be assured that they will be equipped with cutting-edge super shoes as they embark on this challenging endeavor.
Although Nike was the initial brand to introduce publicly available carbon-plated footwear, other prominent running companies such as Puma, New Balance, Asics, and Saucony have also developed their own models.
A common criticism directed towards this technology is that runners experience varied responses when using these shoes, resulting in some individuals attaining a greater performance advantage compared to others.
A study in 2017, financed by Nike, discovered that a prototype shoe containing a rigid plate "decreased the energy expenditure of running by an average of 4% when compared to traditional marathon racing shoes." The study also conceded that the amount of energy saved by these shoes varied significantly among individuals.
According to Hutchings, the issue with this technology is its random selection process. "Certain individuals greatly benefit from it, while others, depending on their gait and biomechanics, may receive minimal assistance or no assistance at all."
Eliud Kipchoge wins this year's Berlin Marathon.
Tobias Schwartz/AFP/Getty Images
Thompson has other reservations about super shoes.
Thompson stated that he has heard anecdotal reports of a rise in foot and calf injuries among athletes who frequently wear carbon-plated spikes on running tracks. Additionally, he believes that excessive use of super shoes on both tracks and roads may have a negative impact on a runner's long-term performance. Thompson explained that continuous training in these shoes could potentially hinder the body's capacity to efficiently utilize its own biokinetic energy.
I am skeptical of the claim that people recover faster from training when using super shoes, allowing them to engage in more effective training.
Henrik, Jakob and Filip Ingebrigtsen race in the 5,000 meter final at the 2019 world championships in Doha, Qatar.
Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
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I believe that those who constantly train in super shoes may actually diminish their body's capacity to maximize biokinetic energy production. Consequently, you will experience an overall decrease in performance compared to your previous abilities," Thompson explained. However, he acknowledged being a minority in his viewpoint regarding the potential drawbacks of using super shoes for racing and training.
He suggested that it is advisable to train in affordable traditional shoes, reserving high-performance spikes and shoes for races and occasional time trials. According to CNN, World Athletics confirmed their extensive efforts to balance shoe regulations, promoting innovation while preventing unfair advantages or drastic changes in athletic performances.
Hutchings argues that the governing body should have implemented stricter regulations on new shoe technology, expressing his belief that they have failed to maintain control after allowing it to slip away uncontrollably. As a result, he reminisces about a time when little attention was given to the type of shoes worn by runners.
"It has blown the sport of distance running into a new stratosphere, a new level of performance," said Hutchings, "and not in an all-round fair way."
