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Shape / Marcus Millan
Over the past decade,running shoetechnology has evolved dramatically.
Photo:Shape / Marcus Millan
As a result, weve seendozens of world and national records smashed, from sprint events to themarathon.
The secret to these speedy sneaks?
A superlight, propulsive addition known as the carbon plate.
PHOTO: Nike
Carbon fiber is lightweight, extremely stiff, and has a high degree of tensile strength (a.k.a.
the maximum amount of stress a material can withstand upon stretching before it breaks).
All of these factors make it a great addition to high-performance running shoes.
IMAGE: SHAPE.
We considered each pairs weight, stack height, materials, and overall comfort while running and racing.
These spring-like threads contract and pop up instantly, giving the sensation of jumping off a trampoline.
At 6.1 ounces, these are also some of the lightest carbon-plated shoes around.
I can attest that these are some seriously bouncy shoes.
I wore them for a 5-mile race and felt speedy and light on my feet.
These unisex shoes have one of the highest heel-to-toe drops of any carbon-plated running shoe, at 8 mm.
Higher heel-to-toe drop shoes can alleviate pressure on your calves and Achilles.
Despite their cushioned height, they feel stable and supportive.
These arent the lightest shoes for long-distance races, but they feel resilient and full of momentum.
The Endorphin Elites from Saucony check those boxes, plus theyre fast.
This can help prevent that jolted-joint feeling that some other options might produce if you take a weird step.
The lower 4 mm drop can feel more comfortable if you have ankle stability or balance issues.
And still, these are some seriously fast race shoes.
“The rocker doesn’t feel intimidatingly present, but still propels you forward.
After testing a bunch of carbon-plated options, these are my marathon go-to running shoes, easy.”
These shoes have a full-length stiff carbon plate surrounded by light foam similar to other shoes on this list.
However, the midsole foam is reinforced by a grippier rubber outsole that provides better traction and staying power.
These shoes are among the tallest Ive tried, with an 8 mm drop and 40 mm stack height.
PHOTO: Brooks Running
The stretchy and soft mesh upper is highly breathable and the shoes are easy enough to get on.
“For what it’s worth, the rocker goes crazy on these.
It’s hard to jog you just wanna sprint from the get-go.”
PHOTO: Shape / Kristin Cleveland
These shoes also felt sturdier than others, thanks to better traction on soft surfaces like gravel and trails.
They have a more minimalist design and a flatter profile, but they dont sacrifice speed.
These shoes are light and lightning-fast, especially on roads.
Id recommend these shoes for any race distance on the roads, from a 5k on up.
Theyre snappy and quick-feeling without quite as much bouncing and rocking as some of the more dramaticly-shaped supershoes.
Stretchier mesh is more accommodating for wider feet if you cant find a pair built specifically for wide feet.
Most carbon-plated racing shoes have a drop between 4 and 8 millimeters.
The stiffness of the carbon plate produces more of a spring-like effect with each step.
This produces momentum that propels you forward.
In short, carbon plates are more energy efficient.
Carbon plates are curved to match the shape of your foot.
One studyshowed that carbon-plated shoes can increase running economy by up to 2.5%.
Carbon plates are stiffer than the nylon plates that most running shoes have.
Carbon fiber is also especially lightweight compared to more traditional plate materials.
As you’re able to imagine, lighter shoes are easier to move in.
And science backs this up.
According to Corkum, though, the shoes must meet WA regulations.
For good measure, its always best to check the specific rules at any race you sign up for.
She’s also competed in triathlons and is an avid swimmer, hiker, cyclist, and reader.
She’s a marathon runner, certified cycling instructor, and the senior editor at Shape.
She has expertise in running shoes, performance gear, and recovery equipment.
PHOTO: Hoka
PHOTO: Shape / Alexander Huang
PHOTO: Zappos
PHOTO: Shape / Sara Michael
PHOTO: Amazon
Shape / Summer Cartwright.
PHOTO: Puma
IMAGE: SHAPE.
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