Puma Says It Made the Fastest Running Shoe Ever. We Put It to the Test

Weight saving is a top priority, too. Studies show that for every 100 grams (about 3.5 oz) shaved off your shoe, running economy improves by approximately 1 percent. The hunt is always on for lighter foams, ways to cut unnecessary material from the midsole, plate and outsole. Stripped-back uppers also play a part with minimal heel collars, thin tongues and barely-there mesh. Whether you’re targeting a sub-3 or sub-5 hour marathon, the lure of the promised performance gains is strong. However, the effectiveness of carbon shoes varies significantly from shoe to shoe, and runner to runner. Research indicates that while some runners experience improvements in running economy with new footwear tech, others see minimal benefits or even a decline in performance. Individual biomechanics, running speed, and adaptation to the shoe's design all play a significant role. The key is finding the shoe that you respond to. The mixed results mean we’ve not seen any rival claims to compete with Nike’s ... Read full article.