The Vaporfly 4% Doesn’t Work how you Think

Exactly what I was wondering. This was supposedly a scientific study but from what I've read they didn't even dissect the sole to study the plate in isolation from the foam. They just estimated how much the plate bent and how much the foam bent?!!

I think if you wear shoes at all your world record should have an asterisk next to it. Also if you wear clothes to aid you in harsh conditions you should be penalized. In fact, if you run anywhere but through a grass field never before touched by man, your record doesn't even count.

Fun Lovin' Boyz wrote:

Exactly what I was wondering. This was supposedly a scientific study but from what I've read they didn't even dissect the sole to study the plate in isolation from the foam. They just estimated how much the plate bent and how much the foam bent?!!

Physics wise, that is all you need. Work is force x distance. If the plate,

for example, is not deformed at all, then it is not storing/dissipating/returning any

energy.

I'm not sure the geometry of the shoe, but I suppose it is possible you get some

interactions of the plate with the foam--such as more or more even compression of

the foam with the plate there, which may help energy return by the foam. If the

plate doesn't change shape, though, it is not acting as a 'spring'.

FrenchDawg wrote:

I think if you wear shoes at all your world record should have an asterisk next to it. Also if you wear clothes to aid you in harsh conditions you should be penalized. In fact, if you run anywhere but through a grass field never before touched by man, your record doesn't even count.

If that is the case then Bekele still counts as the world's greatest runner. Cross country is on grass and he is the GOAT at that.

Here is a read-only version of the full paper.

https://rdcu.be/bbOsv

THANKYOU!

Banana Bread wrote:

FrenchDawg wrote:

I think if you wear shoes at all your world record should have an asterisk next to it. Also if you wear clothes to aid you in harsh conditions you should be penalized. In fact, if you run anywhere but through a grass field never before touched by man, your record doesn't even count.

If that is the case then Bekele still counts as the world's greatest runner. Cross country is on grass and he is the GOAT at that.

+1

Everyone running with the Vaporfly should put an asterix to their time.

*Ran with the best damn racing flat available and please STFU with your spring.