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Running is a strange hobby. When I started training for my first marathon, I did so for two reasons. One was that I knew getting back into competitive athletics would improve my health. The second was that it was one of the most affordable sports to take up. After all, the only thing you need to start running is the open road and a pair of shoes. The second part of that equation is where I underestimated the cost. Of course, you can buy a cheap pair of sneakers for the occasional casual run and you’ll probably be no worse for wear. However, if you plan to put more than a couple of miles on your running shoes per week, then you really need to shop for a proper pair of running shoes.
These shoes come in all shapes, colors, and price points. They can also become addictive if you feel the need to buy a new pair for every raceday fit. If you’re not careful, you could spend thousands of dollars on multiple pairs and end up commandeering closets in your home that you have no right to use (my wife made me add that sentence). The point is that there are so many options for runners, depending on your fitness, experience level, and budget. That said, if you’re looking for shoes that will give you that extra boost to make it through a particularly difficult long run or to get a personal best time on the next raceday, then you probably need a pair of carbon plate running shoes.
What are carbon plate running shoes?
As the name suggests, carbon plate running shoes have a thin carbon-based plate running through the midsole of each shoe. Every brand has its own proprietary materials and technology behind its plates. Some Adidas shoes even feature what the company calls Energyrods, which are small carbon rods rather than plates. Some shoe companies favor plastics-based plates in order to reduce costs, but the industry standard is a carbon composite material.
The reason for adding these plates into the midsoles of running shoes is for added propulsion. While most high-intensity running shoes incorporate a thick soft midsole for cushioning, that has a net slowing effect on runners. The “squishiness” of plush EVA foam under your feet feels great, but it tends to wreak havoc on your pace. That’s where carbon plate shoes can make a difference. Adding a plate into that soft midsole doesn’t only mitigate the slowing effect of the cushion, but can make you run even faster over long distances than you would have otherwise.
This extra spring in your step allows you to be a more efficient and effective runner over the long hall in a few different ways. First of all, the addition of a stiff plate to a highly responsive cushioned midsole improves running economy by reducing the activities metabolic demand on your body by up to 4%. Perhaps even more importantly, carbon plate running shoes have been shown to improve elite female runners’ marathon times by 4 minutes and 18 seconds and elite male runners’ by 2 minutes and 48 seconds. As such, the answer to the question of whether carbon plate running shoes will make you faster, the answer is yes.
Are carbon plate running shoes for me?
As to whether or not you should invest in a pair of carbon plate running shoes has to do with your goals. If you’re someone who only does light walking or jogging once in a while, or you only use your athletic shoes for regular daily wear, then you probably don’t need carbon plate running shoes. However, if you’re a casual runner who likes to cover long distances, regardless of speed, then carbon plate running shoes might be for you. I have had the experience of wearing carbon plate shoes and that extra push they offer has helped me at the end of a long run to make it all the way through without stopping.
Even more likely to benefit from these shoes are serious competitive runners who want to improve their pace and raceday times. The first time I put on my Adidas Adizero Boston 13 Wide Carbon Plate Running Shoes, I felt the difference. You can tell that it will take less effort than normal to get moving in these shoes. They’re springy, bouncy, and speaking candidly, they’re a whole lot of fun. If you remember being a kid and hoping that your new sneakers would make you run faster and jump higher, these kicks actually do!
How to choose the right carbon plate running shoes
Picking the perfect carbon plate running shoes for your needs isn’t as difficult as you might expect. For starters, I recommend starting with brands that you already know and are comfortable with. I personally run almost exclusively in Adidas and Puma running shoes, so those are the ones that I typically shop for. However, that’s not to say you shouldn’t experiment. Many brands have added carbon plate running shoes to their lineups in recent years, and it’s definitely worth doing some research to see which ones suit your style the best. Below are a few of the top picks based on my own experience with, and knowledge of running shoes. It should be a good starting point for newbies and experienced runners alike.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Running Shoes
Courtesy of Amazon
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Mizuno Wave Creation 25 Running Shoes
Courtesy of Amazon
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Nike Alphafly 3 Running Shoes
Courtesy of Nike
Check price at Nike
Nike Zoom Fly 6 Running Shoes
Courtesy of Nike
Check price at Nike
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