Are carbon plate running shoes worth it?
It's known that carbon fiber running shoes help runners to set a personal best. But how can we explain that succes? Are they necessary for your daily runs? What carbon shoes are best? We answer all your questions below.
In August 2016, Eliud Kipchoge took his first olympic gold on the marathon. And that in the fluo yellow running shoes with a quite thick sole. And that opened the door yo the well-known carbon fiber shoes we know today.
Now, seven years later, the running world still talk about these power beasts. The range becomes bigger and more accessible for the mass public.
Are carbon fiber plate running shoes for me?
In the beginning, carbon fiber running shoes were reserved for those elite runners. In the meantime, this conviction is everything but true. As we may believe the organisation of the London Marathon: at least 45.000 participants crossed the finish line in carbon fiber shoes.
But let's comment this statement, because not every runner profits from fast carbon fiber shoes. Research shows that mostly mid- or forefoot runners, who run at least 14km/h, benefit from these carbon running shoes. That doesn't mean that slower heel-landers can't go faster with carbon shoes.
Do you prefer stability? Than you better be careful when you use a fast race shoe during regular trainings. The extra stability you experience in a daily trainer, you won't find in the carbon fiber shoes. That may lead to injuries over time.
What makes carbon running shoes successful?
One important strength is in the name. The carbon fiber plate is stiff, and that almost forces you to run faster. But it's not only this waving plate that deserves credits. The speed also comes from the foam.
The propulsive foam in race shoes generate an impulsive energy return. Plus, it absorbs most of the impact on your muscles.
How long do carbon shoes last?
Short, but powerful. That's how we can describe the life span of carbon fiber shoes. It's definitely true that these fast shoes don't last forever.
Who is to blame for this? The outsole, the rubber underneath your feet. To diminish the weight of the shoes, they only have the minimum of rubber. That means the surface and foam in the midsole make contact very soon, which affects the quality of this foam. Depending on your running style, weight and the surface, carbon fiber shoes last around 300 to 600 kilometers.
What are the disadvantages of carbon fiber shoes?
Too much is never good. And that's the case for running with carbon shoes, too. When you put on your carbon fiber running shoes too much, it can lead to injuries. You run automatically faster, and the advanced technologies may change your running style.
You better keep these beasts for moments when it really matters: on your race days. it's better to complete your daily trainings with a comfortable running shoe.
Are the Nike Alphafly and Nike Vaporfly still premium?
"You want to break records? Than you better wear the Nike Vaporfly or Nike Alphafly." This quote sounds good, and it's true that Nike ruled the carbon shoe market in the earlier years. These two showpieces reached almost all podium places on big events. Unfortunately, they have to share their winning places with lots of other brands.
During the Boston marathon, the first women was wearing a carbon fiber shoe of On. The masculin podium was fully filled with shoes of adidas. And our belgium proud Bashir Abdi climbed the second step with his ASICS running shoes.
And we can go on. Almost every running brand cracked the code to combine a responsive foam with a carbon fiber plate.
Runners' lab experience center
Do you want to experience the benefits of carbon fiber shoes? In our Runners' lab Experience Center in Deurne (Antwerp)*, you can test them outside.
Also comfortable training shoes are there to test. Put the shoes on, go outside and run in the wonderful Rivierenhof.
Runners' lab Deurne
Ruggeveldlaan 488
2100 Antwerpen
* Dit experience center is a unique concept in our store in Antwerp. Other shops don't feature this experience center.
