Super-shoes got their name because they literally made anyone who wears them run faster for longer. The carbon-fiber plates inserted into these shoes enhance performance, but don't think they can become your daily drivers.

Super-shoes have multiple carbon-fiber plates and chunky foam soles, which help athletes run faster with less effort. While that was good enough to make it illegal to wear during competition, they're not the best option for your everyday run, either.

Dr. Wouter Hoogkamer from the University of Massachusetts, speaking with SELF about these shoes, explained, “If you push down on a very soft spring, you can put a lot of energy in it, and you'll get that back.”

And this spring effect messes with how your body reacts while running. “If you jump as high as you can and land on the ground, you're automatically going to bend your hips and knees to cushion the impact. But if you jump on a trampoline, it's soft so that you can jump with stiffer knees and hips," said podiatrist Alicia Canzenese.

The same goes for these shoes, as they mess with your technique and, over time, may even lead to injuries. So, what is the right way of using these shoes?

Advice on using these shoes

While the World Athletics Association restricted shoes with more than 40 mm sole thickness or more than one fiber plate in them, they're here to stay.  Dr. Irene Davis from the University of South Florida states that “We're not going to put that genie back in the bottle.”

However, they do have a place in a runner's collection. For newcomers, developing the proper running form and strength is crucial before putting on thier first pair of shoes.

Even those who are ready to use these shoes need tofamiliarize themselves with how they affect their running. So starting with shorter distance runs could be the ideal way to understand the effect they have on running technique.

Meanwhile, those training to compete can use them to train specifics like speed training or tempo work to habituate their bodies for race day.

Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi