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Supershoes use responsive midsoles with carbon plates and ultralight uppers, improving performance for experienced runners.
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However, their durability is limited.
The lightweight and elastic Pebax midsole degrades faster than EVA, affecting performance over time. -
To maximize their useful life, use them only in crucial races and training, tracking miles with dedicated apps.
Have youever heard ofsupershoes?
They have existed for relatively few years (since 2016, supposedly) and are based on very advanced technologies capable of delivering remarkable performance improvements for both the experienced runner and the neophyte (although more for the former, for whom they have always been designed).
The technologies on which they are based are a very responsive midsole that conceals a carbon fiber plate and an ultralight upper.
However, there are also downsides: the cost is very high and their durability is significantly less than that of ordinary running shoes.
How long do they really last?
And is it worth investing in such an expensive pair of shoes?
Durability
If you spend hundreds of euros on a pair of shoes, you don’t want them to wear out after a few runs, right?
Their limited durability is mainly influenced by two elements: the extreme responsiveness of their midsoles is related to the use of Pebax compound, which is very light and elastic but less durable, and the fact that, in order to limit the overall weight, many models have a minimized tread, thus exposing the compound itself to asphalt wear.
The mechanical behavior and thus the elastic response of such a compound is also less stable over time: the more that passes, the less responsive you will find them to be as they were on day one.
After spending so much money (for some brands and some models even double or more than a regular shoe) you would want them to last as long as possible, right?
Old compounds win the durability championship
A recent study compared the durability of sole materials of different super shoes, focusing mainly on two types of compound: the aforementioned Pebax (peba) and the classic EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate).
- Pebax: known for its lightness and responsiveness, it tends to degrade faster than EVA, losing its cushioning and responsive properties after about 200-300 kilometers.
- EVA: EVA is more durable but less responsive than Pebax.
It can last up to 500 or more kilometers, but does not offer the same level of performance.
How to handle the inevitable decline in performance?
Unfortunately, we would like to tell you that storing them in the freezer or cleaning them with essential oils extends the life of the midsole compound, but it does not.
The only system is to use them only for crucial races and workouts, thus maximizing their impact on your performance.
After all, you have to use them precisely when you need the most, that is, in the workouts that most of all have to simulate the race and the race itself.
The even more extreme solution is to use them only on race day.
In this way, you maximize their useful life and ensure that they are at their peak performance when you need them most.
We would still recommend that you use them in some training as well, at least to get familiar with them.
The odometer
By now, any app that tracks your runs allows you to specify which shoes you’ve run in, thus associating them with the miles you’ve run.
Here’s an easy way to get a record of how “worn” they are.
You will then be able to get an idea of how much more useful life they have, not neglecting that it is only that which guarantees you their maximum performance, not to be confused in short with the life of the shoes themselves, which you can continue to use as comfortable walking shoes for a very long time. (Via Running Magazine)