MIT Technology Review Narrated Supershoes are reshaping distance running
Oct 29, 2025
Explore the fascinating impact of high-performance shoes on Kenyan runners. Learn how the Vaporfly technology sparked a revolution in distance running. Discover the debate over fairness and performance comparisons, as athletes face rising costs for these super shoes. Delve into the history of Kenya's marathon ascent and the socioeconomic factors driving many to pursue running as an escape from poverty. The conversation also highlights the varying effects of shoes on individual runners and the ongoing debate about sports integrity.
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Kiptum's Meteoric Rise And Tragic End
- Kelvin Kiptum rose from obscurity to set the men's marathon world record wearing Nike's Alpha Fly 3.
- His death in a car crash cut short a career that intertwined elite talent with emergent shoe tech.
How Super Shoes Improve Economy
- Super shoes combine lightweight energy-returning foam with a carbon-fibre plate to improve running economy.
- Laboratory studies found prototypes like the Vaporfly improved economy ~4% and increased distance per stride.
Shoe Tech Shapes Economic Opportunity
- In Kenya, running is both sport and an economic lifeline, so shoe tech shifts have outsized consequences.
- Expensive super shoes raise barriers for aspiring athletes who cannot afford them.