What Are Carbon-Plated Running Shoes? An Expert Recommends These Brands

The practice of adding carbon plates to shoes has been around since at least the 1990s, when Reebok attempted it. But Nike introduced the world to this technology on a larger scale with the advent of the Nike Vaporfly 4%. These so-called "super shoes" appeared in the 2016 Olympics and were available to everyone starting in 2017, promising a 4% performance improvement. Now, many companies are creating carbon-plated running shoes that put a spring in your step. They're gaining popularity largely thanks to their lightweight nature and support. But are they worth the expensive price tag? We talked to three experts to find out. What are carbon-plated running shoes? Matt Dustin, a certified precision nutrition coach and NASM corrective exercise specialist, explains, "Carbon-plated running shoes have a stiff, thin carbon fiber plate in their midsole." He says the plate can help with energy return and make your strides more efficient. Put another way, Engineering.com says that a carbon plat ... Read full article.