Carbon running shoes have taken the world by storm. Thanks to the carbon revolution, but also to today’s advanced technologies and innovations, the possibilities for the construction of running shoes seem endless. The shoe that really initiated the Carbon craze was Nike’s Vaporfly. After its release the shoe went on a record breaking spree and thereby forced other running brands to come with their own carbon plated shoes. Now, the range of carbon running shoes is slowly but steadily increasing. In this blog we’ll list the fastest running shoes of the moment and give you more insight into that mysterious carbon plate.
Using carbon material in running shoes is not as revolutionary as you would think. It was actually already a thing in the late 80s. Knowledge about the material and its applicability for the running scene grew over the years, however. And it was just a couple of year ago that the first carbon plate was developed. More recently, actually just a couple of months ago, carbon material led to some controversy. The question of whether it gave athletes wearing carbon plated shoes an unfair advantage over the others was raised. The World Athletics (formerly the IAAF) considered this and finally stated that “running shoes worn at official competitions may only contain a single carbon plate.
THE CARBON PLATE IN DETAIL
Discover the unique characteristics of this innovative technology
The carbon plate is made of carbon fibres. Every brand uses carbon material in its own way and gives the plate its own unique shape.
The use of carbon in running shoes isn’t completely new. In the late 80s and the early 90s it was already used in some running shoes. The way in which it is used has changed though and the material has therefore become far more effective.
Carbon is such a big succes because it is very light of weight and incredibly strong. It is also relatively easy to produce.
Thanks to its wavy pattern, the carbon plate provides an extra push during take-off. This really gives you the feeling of being propelled forward.
The carbon plate is strong and stiff. You can also feel this when putting on shoes with a plate in them. Only when reaching a certain speed and pace the plate loses its stiffness and starts giving back.
Nike Vaporfly
afb. mobiel
The ASICS Metaracer is ASICS’ newest competition shoe. The Metaracer will immediately top the list of competition shoes from ASICS, with the Metarun, Metaride and Evoride following close behind. Like Nike, Saucony, Brooks and other brands, ASICS also works with a silo principle. The Metaracer is your go-to shoe for race day. The speedy shoes contain a full length carbon plate which is stuck in between the Flytefoam midsole and the outsole. ASICS has deliberately chosen for less cushioning, less height, and more ground contact. Another striking fact: the Metaracer is one of the few carbon shoes with a lot of rubber on the outsole. The advantage of this: higher durability and more grip on wet roads.
Weight: approx. 190 grams, offset: 9 mm
Nike
ZoomX Vaporfly Next%
The Nike Vaporfly is where the carbon craze started. The infamous full-length carbon plate of the Vaporfly is placed on top of the ZoomX midsole. It is said that ZoomX material and its placement underneath the plate have got everything to do with the shoes’ speediness. Has the Vaporfly already lost its attraction for you? Then keep an eye out for her big brother, the Nike Alphafly which will be available soon. If you find the Vaporfly a bit too intimidating? Then check out her little brother, the Zoom Fly. This is an accessible competition shoe which also features a carbon plate.
Weight: approx. 174 grams, offset: 8 mm
Just like the Alphafly, the Vaporfly is the epitome of a competition shoe. The ZoomX foam returns a lot of energy and excels in absorbing impact shocks. Thanks to the latter, fatigue is kept at bay, thereby ensuring that you can go on for longer with less effort. Innovative Air units in the Alphafly increase energy return, making the Alphafly even faster than the Vaporfly. The Zoom Fly 3 isn’t as efficient as the Vaporfly or the Alphafly in terms of energy return and effective cushioning, but does however excel in another aspect. These shoes contain a React foam midsole which offers more stability and is many times more durable than the ZoomX foam.
HOKA ONE ONE
Carbon X
The ASICS Metaracer is ASICS’ newest competition shoe. The Metaracer will immediately top the list of competition shoes from ASICS, with the Metarun, Metaride and Evoride following close behind. Like Nike, Saucony, Brooks and other brands, ASICS also works with a silo principle. The Metaracer is your go-to shoe for race day. The speedy shoes contain a full length carbon plate which is stuck in between the Flytefoam midsole and the outsole. ASICS has deliberately chosen for less cushioning, less height, and more ground contact. Another striking fact: the Metaracer is one of the few carbon shoes with a lot of rubber on the outsole. The advantage of this: higher durability and more grip on wet roads.
Weight: approx. 190 grams, offset: 9 mm
HOKA ONE ONE
Carbon X
The HOKA ONE ONE Carbon X is HOKA’s lightweight competition shoe. These running shoes also have a carbon plate. This plate works together with the Meta Rocker Geometry technology thanks to which the feet go through transition smoothly. Because of the wide base of the Carbon X, they excel in providing support and stability, and the Injected EVA midsole is very durable. Is the marathon child’s play for you and do you like to do ultra-runs? Then the Carbon X might be the carbon shoe for you. The Carbon X comes in a version for men and a version for women.
Weight: approx. 241 grams, offset: 5 mm
The Carbon X actually wasn’t HOKA’s first Carbon running shoe. HOKA’s EVO Carbon Rocket preceded it. The EVO Carbon Rocket is lighter than the Carbon X and only has an offset of 1 millimeter, where the Carbon X has an offset of 5 millimeters. Because the Carbon Rocket also features less cushioning material, it provides better contact with the underground. The Rocket is an ideal competition shoe for distances from 5 kilomtres up to the half marathon. You can of course also wear the Carbon X when running those distances. The Carbon X, however, really comes into its own on longer distances such as the full marathon.
adidas
Adizero Pro afb. mobiel
The ASICS Metaracer is ASICS’ newest competition shoe. The Metaracer will immediately top the list of competition shoes from ASICS, with the Metarun, Metaride and Evoride following close behind. Like Nike, Saucony, Brooks and other brands, ASICS also works with a silo principle. The Metaracer is your go-to shoe for race day. The speedy shoes contain a full length carbon plate which is stuck in between the Flytefoam midsole and the outsole. ASICS has deliberately chosen for less cushioning, less height, and more ground contact. Another striking fact: the Metaracer is one of the few carbon shoes with a lot of rubber on the outsole. The advantage of this: higher durability and more grip on wet roads.
Weight: approx. 190 grams, offset: 9 mm
adidas
Adizero Pro
The adidas Adizero Pro is rightfully characterised as one of the fastest running shoes. The Adizero line is a well-known line for top athletes. The latest addition to this line is the Adizero Pro, which aims at providing the highest possible energy return. In the front and midfoot of the shoe you will find Lightstrike foam while the heel contains adidas’ famous Boost material. The carbon plate named adidas Carbitex is located between the insole and the midsole. The Continental rubber on the outsole offers a lot of grip, even on wet roads. The Adizero Pro is also very suitable for training. Do you prefer saving the shoe for race day? Then you can supplement the Pro with the Adizero Adios 5 or Boston 8 for your fast trainings.
Weight: approx. 229.6 grams, offset: 10 mm
!The Adizero Pro is available at 21RUN now.
New Balance
FuelCell Racer afb. mobiel
The ASICS Metaracer is ASICS’ newest competition shoe. The Metaracer will immediately top the list of competition shoes from ASICS, with the Metarun, Metaride and Evoride following close behind. Like Nike, Saucony, Brooks and other brands, ASICS also works with a silo principle. The Metaracer is your go-to shoe for race day. The speedy shoes contain a full length carbon plate which is stuck in between the Flytefoam midsole and the outsole. ASICS has deliberately chosen for less cushioning, less height, and more ground contact. Another striking fact: the Metaracer is one of the few carbon shoes with a lot of rubber on the outsole. The advantage of this: higher durability and more grip on wet roads.
Weight: approx. 190 grams, offset: 9 mm
New Balance
FuelCell TC
The New Balance FuelCell TC is the carbon shoe from New Balance. TC stands for “Training Competition”. The TC is a very suitable running shoe to use for your trainings as well as your races. The marathon is no problem for the FuelCell TC. The carbon plate is located over the shoes’ entire length and is placed on top of the FuelCell cushioning material. The TC feels softer and more comfortable than the average Carbon shoe and offers a slightly wider fit, just like the Brooks Hyperion Elite. Great for serious runners with slightly wider feet!
Weight: approx. 263.6 grams, offset: 8 mm
!The FuelCell TC will be available soon at 21RUN.
ASICS
Metaracer afb. mobiel
The ASICS Metaracer is ASICS’ newest competition shoe. The Metaracer will immediately top the list of competition shoes from ASICS, with the Metarun, Metaride and Evoride following close behind. Like Nike, Saucony, Brooks and other brands, ASICS also works with a silo principle. The Metaracer is your go-to shoe for race day. The speedy shoes contain a full length carbon plate which is stuck in between the Flytefoam midsole and the outsole. ASICS has deliberately chosen for less cushioning, less height, and more ground contact. Another striking fact: the Metaracer is one of the few carbon shoes with a lot of rubber on the outsole. The advantage of this: higher durability and more grip on wet roads.
Weight: approx. 190 grams, offset: 9 mm
ASICS
Metaracer
Der ASICS Metaracer ist der neueste Wettkampf-Laufschuh aus dem Hause ASICS. Der Metaracer führt die Herde der schnellen Schuhe an und steht in der Hierarchie über dem Metarun, Metaride und Evoride. ASICS setzt daher auch auf das “Silo-Prinzip”, mit dem auch andere Marken wie z.B. Nike und Saucony arbeiten. Der Metaracer ist der optimale Begleiter für deinen Renntag. Die schnellen Schuhe enthalten eine durchgängige Carbon-Platte, die zwischen der Flytefoam-Zwischensohle und der Außensohle platziert ist. Hier baut ASICS also bewusst auf geringe Dämpfung und Höhe, aber eben auch auf mehr Bodenkontakt. Eine weitere bemerkenswerte Tatsache: Der Metaracer ist einer der wenigen Carbon-Schuhe mit viel Gummi in der Laufsohle. Dein Vorteil hierbei: Mehr Langlebigkeit und Grip auf nassen Straßen.
Gewicht: ca. 190 Gramm, Offset: 9 mm
!The Metaracer will be available online soon.
Saucony
Endorphin Pro afb. mobiel
The Saucony Endorphin PRO is the fastest shoe from the Saucony Endorphin collection. The Endorphin PRO contains an S-shaped carbon plate in the PWRRUN PB foam midsole. The carbon plate gives a bouncy feel at take-off, while it also absorbs the shocks your legs experience during impact. The Endorphin PRO is developed for running fast times on the marathon. Like Nike and Brooks, Saucony has also released a line of several models which reinforce each other. The PRO is your race-day shoe like for instance the Vaporfly or Hyperion Elite, while the Endorphin Speed is your training shoe, which is comparable to the Zoom Fly 3 and the Hyperion Tempo.
Weight: approx. 212 grams, offset: 8 mm
Saucony
Endorphin PRO
The Saucony Endorphin PRO is the fastest shoe from the Saucony Endorphin collection. The Endorphin PRO contains an S-shaped carbon plate in the PWRRUN PB foam midsole. The carbon plate gives a bouncy feel at take-off, while it also absorbs the shocks your legs experience during impact. The Endorphin PRO is developed for running fast times on the marathon. Like Nike and Brooks, Saucony has also released a line of several models which reinforce each other. The PRO is your race-day shoe like for instance the Vaporfly or Hyperion Elite, while the Endorphin Speed is your training shoe, which is comparable to the Zoom Fly 3 and the Hyperion Tempo.
Weight: approx. 212 grams, offset: 8 mm
!The Endorphin PRO will be available soon at 21RUN.
Hoka One One Carbon X
Learn more about the technologies employed in these running shoes!
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The range of carbon running shoes continues to grow, and since it’s a whole new category it might be hard to choose which ones are right for you. At the end of the day your choice is depended on your preferences. Your running goals and running style can also determine which shoes are the best ones for you. Nowadays, more and more brands offer a combination pack that consists of a competition shoe and a complementary training shoe.
To sum up some facts:
The adidas Adizero Pro stands out with the highest offset, namely 10 millimetres. With an offset of 5 millimetres the HOKA ONE ONE Carbon X has the lowest offset. At 174 grams the Nike Vaporfly is the lightest in weight. With its 263.6 grams the FuelCell TC is the heavyweight of the carbon category (these weights apply to size US 9 for men). A big plus of the FuelCell TC is that it is a lot more durable and last much longer than most other carbon shoes. The FuelCell TC is also more versatile than the Vaporfly.
In fact, all of the carbon shoes we’ve discussed here are great for running marathons or shorter distances at high speeds. Do you still have some questions to ask about these shoes? Don’t hesitate to contact our customer service. Our running professionals will be very happy to help you.
