Super shoes for trail runners? | S2E18: Trail Science

You asked & we listened. This weeks episode with @dewaal.simon is a hot topic. We unpack some of need to knows around super shoes. We talk about advanced footwear technology (AFT), what we learn from road runners, what research on super shoes tells us & more 💥

What you’ll gain from this episode:

🌟 Insights into the research on super shoes for both trail & road

💡 Tips on what to consider when getting a pair of super shoes

🏞️ Inspiration to follow the research on super shoes in the trail running space

🎥 Chapter Markers:

00:00 - Welcome to 2025: Season 2 continues

03:07 Vapor flies: Personal dabbling in the super shoe scene

06:50 - Shoes vs Barefoot: Why should we care about our footwear

10:27 - Design & definition: Advanced footwear technology (AFT)

14:35 - Super shoe benefits: Are they real or perceived?

19:15 - The carbon plate: Potential energy & carbon improvements

22:21 - Early research: The 4% benefit & Nikes research

30:12 - The influence of speed: How much of a role does speed play

35:20 - Running environment : Is there a place for super shoes on trail

40:30 - The Salomon study: Current research for the trail space

55:05 - Windlass Mechanism: Foot mechanics in an uphill condition

59:18 - Future research: Making it more trail specific