The Running Explained Podcast *s3/e02 Supershoes with Doctors of Running (@doctorsofrunning) Dr. Matt Klein & Dr. Nathan Brown
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Jan 19, 2023 Dr. Matt Klein, a physical therapist and footwear researcher, teams up with Dr. Nathan Brown, a biomechanics expert, to dive deep into the world of supershoes. They define what makes these shoes special, discussing the roles of carbon plates and innovative foams that create a bouncy feel. The duo examines scientific studies on running economy, and whether slower runners can benefit from these high-tech kicks. They also touch on shoe rotation for injury prevention, the future of footwear innovation, and the ongoing debate about whether supershoes are a form of cheating.
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Three-Part Shoe Prescription
- Supershoes combine three design elements: foam, longitudinal bending stiffness (often a plate), and geometry.
- The synergy of those three, not a single part, produces performance benefits for some runners.
Economy ≠ Automatic Speed
- Running economy means metabolic efficiency, not guaranteed speed increases.
- Foam tends to drive economy most, while plates mainly stabilize soft foams and shape motion.
First-Time Vaporfly Reaction
- Coach Elizabeth bought a first-generation Vaporfly at an outlet for $130 and recalls the shoe felt 'marshmallowy' and unfamiliar.
- The strange soft, high-stack sensation took getting used to and felt like running on platforms at first.