Kelvin Kiptum broke the Chicago Marathon world record wearing Nike's latest prototype carbon-fiber running shoe. Photo: Getty Images/Michael Reeves
World Athletics has no plans to stop the latest «super running» after the men's and women's marathon world records were broken in two weeks.
The innovation rules were last updated in early 2022, and as Adidas and now Nike see athletes breaking world records in their ultra-light new models, there are concerns that rapid innovation has devalued world records.
Tim Hutchings, a finalist in the 1984 Los Angeles 5000m, says the «new era» ushering in the rise of supershoes should be officially recognised, but so far World Athletics has refused to bow to pressure from athletes and former Olympians .
Swimming's world governing body intervened in 2009 after athletes wearing high-tech polyurethane suits broke nearly 200 world records in less than two years, but World Athletics is satisfied that its strict vetting procedures ensure the rules of the game are fair.
The introduction of “super shoes” since 2020 has been correlated with world records at all distances from 5,000 meters and above, and in thicker road shoes, energy savings of around four percent depending on individual athletes.
Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa took more than two minutes off the women's world record in Berlin last month in a £400 version of the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, which has since sold out. On Sunday, Kelvin Kiptum became the first person to run under 2 hours 1 minute in the prototype Nike running shoes that will go on sale next year. When they were registered with World Athletics they were called the Nike Dev 163, but they will officially release as the new Alphafly 3. The first Alphafly prototype was worn by Eliud Kipchoge in 2019 when, in a side-pace challenge that was not considered an official world record, it became first person to run a marathon in under two hours.
The Alphafly 2 trainers are currently on sale for £279.95, but it is unknown how much Nike will charge for the trainers, which were worn on Sunday during the record-breaking Kiptum race.
The first «super sneaker» was This innovation was developed by Nike back in 2016, but now all the other major manufacturers have released their own versions, which must comply with World Athletics rules: a maximum stack height of 40mm on the road and 25mm on the track.< /p>
Shoes must also be available to the general public, although «developmental» shoes may be given a special permit for a year, provided they comply with World Athletics guidelines and are inspected by World Athletics.
Kiptum wore a pair of developmental shoes. in Chicago on Sunday, and the governing body says it is focused on balancing innovation and equity in an area that has generated additional interest in the sport as well as huge revenues for shoe companies.
Experts believe that in the future, athletes—and perhaps even the general public—could be tested and then given custom-made “super shoes” to match the geometry and placement of the carbon plate to their running style. This personalized approach is already common in other sports such as golf and cycling.
“We could touch on what can be done by customizing these shoes and what suits each individual runner,” said Dr Thomas Allen from the Institute of Sport at Manchester Metropolitan University.
What makes a sneaker great? Carbon reinforcement
Most super shoes have some sort of curved carbon plates or rods inserted into the foam midsole to help maintain the shape of the shoe and promote optimal performance. a rocking movement called the “swing” effect. Geometry is critical here and is thought to allow the foot to roll off the toes more effectively.
“There are a number of ways a curved plate can help,” explains Dr Aimee Mears, senior lecturer at Loughborough University's Institute of Sports Technology. “First, it changes and possibly improves the mechanics of the force-producing ankle muscles. Secondly, the plate can act as a lever, pushing the heel and helping you move forward.»
Special responsive foam in the midsole
Most super shoes use a midsole material called Pebax, and while people think the carbon element is critical, most of the energy is actually optimized in this foam.
“I would say the biggest technological breakthrough happened to make these foams lighter,” says Allen. “By making a shoe lighter, you can make it thicker, and it will return a lot more energy.”
Scientists say the key to success is creating shoes that use the energy generated by the athlete more efficiently. “When you load material and unload it, very little energy is lost,” says Mears.
Ultra-light upper and outsole
Research has shown that weight savings per 100 grams can correspond to one percent in energy. In recent shoe designs, this has meant a reduction in both the outsole that contacts the ground and the “upper” material around the foot. Adidas, for example, has largely removed the rubber outsole on its Adios Pro Evo 1, and while Nike has yet to release its new Alphafly 3 to the general public, it looks like they've slimmed down that part of the shoe as well.
“They've achieved some pretty significant savings on the soles,” Mears says. “That’s the main difference between previous prototypes and where we are now.” The upper around the foot is also made from an ultra-thin material, designed for light weight rather than durability.
Increased foot height
The limit for road shoes is 40mm, and most newer models are that height or close to her. to these limits.
“Theoretically, by increasing foot height, you increase lower limb length and potentially stride length, which could promote faster running,” Mears said.
However, experts believe there is a limit to the optimal stack height due to stability and comfort issues that can negatively impact productivity.
Researchers are now trying to assess which features of the super shoe are most important, although experts currently believe it is the combination of carbon, foam, height and reduced weight that makes the shoe so popular. faster.
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