Folks, what current BRANDS/MODELS qualify to be called "SUPERSHOES"?

Really could use some help here. Google has been unavailing.

It literally just means a good pair of shoes. Literally

To qualify, a shoe must have:

1. A carbon fiber stiffener of some sort (plates or rods, and not plastic; get out of here with your ZoomFlys)

2. A foam that is lighter and more advanced than EVA

At this point, Nike has 2 qualifying models (Vaporfly/AlphaFly), while Adidas, Saucony and Brooks each have 1, and Hoka/Asics are still works in progress.

colder and wiser wrote:

To qualify, a shoe must have:

1. A carbon fiber stiffener of some sort (plates or rods, and not plastic; get out of here with your ZoomFlys)

2. A foam that is lighter and more advanced than EVA

At this point, Nike has 2 qualifying models (Vaporfly/AlphaFly), while Adidas, Saucony and Brooks each have 1, and Hoka/Asics are still works in progress.

New Balance has at least two (RC, TC), arguable three (5280).

ASICS has Metaspeed Sky and Metaspeed Edge.

Mizuno Wave Rebellion is imminent.

Plenty of edge cases that have light/elastic midsole foams or fast turnover/stiffened midsoles and certainly offer something different and springs: Atreyu The Artist, Hola Carbon X/Carbon Rocket, New Balance Rebel, ON Cloudboom, Reebok Floatride Run Fast (Pro) and heaps more.

colder and wiser wrote:

To qualify, a shoe must have:

1. A carbon fiber stiffener of some sort (plates or rods, and not plastic; get out of here with your ZoomFlys)

2. A foam that is lighter and more advanced than EVA

At this point, Nike has 2 qualifying models (Vaporfly/AlphaFly), while Adidas, Saucony and Brooks each have 1, and Hoka/Asics are still works in progress.

Interesting info! Do you know what the Adidas/Saucony/Brooks models' names are?

I think many would call the Endorphin Speed a super shoe, despite’s the fact that it has a plastic plate and people really use it for training rather than racing. I probably average 30 seconds per mile faster in that shoe than others I run in, though admittedly most of that is probably the attitude I bring to the shoe on the days I use them.

I’d be shocked if it wasn’t a faster racing shoe than a simple foam racing flat.

Look for carbon plate + Pebax foam.

Although this article is in need of an update, it explains the science behind the super shoes and what to look for:

https://www.doctorsofrunning.com/2020/04/footwear-science-evidenced-based-review.html

Newbie... wrote:

...what current BRANDS/MODELS qualify to be called "SUPERSHOES"?

colder and wiser wrote:

To qualify, a shoe must have:

1. A carbon fiber stiffener of some sort (plates or rods, and not plastic; get out of here with your ZoomFlys)

2. A foam that is lighter and more advanced than EVA

Well then, that eliminates the Nike DragonFly's from the conversation for SuperShoe Track Spikes.

NEW BALANCE, anyone?

I’ll have one out soon. It has springs instead of a carbon fiber plate. Guaranteed to take 30 seconds off your 10k time. I figure if nike can advance shoe technology, so can I. Mine might be a little bit more expensive because of the springs. Combine the shoes with a few cycles of “supplements” and you’re sure to run 26:11 - oh, wait…

west west wrote:

I think many would call the Endorphin Speed a super shoe, despite’s the fact that it has a plastic plate and people really use it for training rather than racing. I probably average 30 seconds per mile faster in that shoe than others I run in, though admittedly most of that is probably the attitude I bring to the shoe on the days I use them.

I’d be shocked if it wasn’t a faster racing shoe than a simple foam racing flat.

If your averaging half a minute faster PER MILE because of a shoe you are doing something terribly wrong.

lke_4:25 wrote:

west west wrote:

I think many would call the Endorphin Speed a super shoe, despite’s the fact that it has a plastic plate and people really use it for training rather than racing. I probably average 30 seconds per mile faster in that shoe than others I run in, though admittedly most of that is probably the attitude I bring to the shoe on the days I use them.

I’d be shocked if it wasn’t a faster racing shoe than a simple foam racing flat.

If your averaging half a minute faster PER MILE because of a shoe you are doing something terribly wrong.

Talking about my easy run days and perceived effort. If I go out in my normal easy days shoes for a 5-6 mile run, I move along at x pace. I’ve found that if I put on the speeds and go at the same perceived effort on an easy day, I just click along that much faster. No, I haven’t done a race day type comparison between the shoes.