re: Runners, is this new shoe technology going to get banned like the body suits in swimming?

My daughter convinced me to get the new shoes. Fashion.

The first pair I bought were Hokas. Looked all cool and up to date but I haven't run in several years. I virtually fell several times in them because the heal bevel didn't stop me from falling backwards. They didn't have the feel of Adidas or New Balance.

I doubt the new breed of shoes are going away at all because they've now become a fashion item. You can't go to your kids' soccer game anymore without seeing parents or even grandparents who you know they aren't running, wearing OCs and the likes.

Possibly there might be a ban in some places but when the next Boston Marathon rolls around, they'll still be on Kenyan's feet.

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I believe if you run for years on the streets, especially with thin old style shoes, you will have terrible knee and back problems when you're in your 60s, 70, and above and wish you could re-do what you ignored in your younger years. Don't skimp on your shoes.

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I turned 66 yesterday. I got out of bed and ran 2 miles. I run 2 miles each morning at least 4 days a week if not more. I compete in 5Ks on a regular basis.

I've been running all my teen and adult life and have never worn expensive shoes.

I am by no means Olympic caliber, but I have put in a lot of miles over the past 50 years.

Thankfully, no joint problems at all.

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Modern footwear is killing our feet. It pains my soul to see shoes like these: high stack height making you unstable, narrow toe box cramping your toes, and high cushioning causing the muscles in your foot to atrophy.

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Uncle Phil and Big Shoe really created a mess didnt they?

ETA: not only muscles atrophy but connective tissue as well and thats what winds up grounding most runners in the end.

No speed advantage could outweigh the lack of dignity one would experience while wearing the shoes in the first post.

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They aren't creating any more energy than you're putting in, they're just more efficient. The swimsuits, as far as I'm aware, were breaking records because they allowed you to be more aerodynamic and buoyant than bare skin.

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This is a poor argument. If the shoes are allowing you to use more energy by increasing efficiency then they are definitely creating more energy. The shoes allow you to be more efficient and create a propulsion effect than bare feet do.

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It's not that they're magic on race day, it's that they're allowing for better prep leading up to it.

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It’s both. The only argument against race day is that everyone else is wearing them, but the same can be said of the swimsuits. And when it comes to breaking records that’s not really relevant.

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I guess this would put more of an emphasis on avoiding heel strikes. Which I am sure they can compensate for with better therapy techniques for their knees, calves & achillies; but I cannot imagine that will be good for their long-term health of their legs & feet

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I would say 95% of elite runners...and even fast local runners, are forefoot strikers.

But yea, the new shoes definitely contribute to the fast times we are seeing. But the new data driven training methods are also just as important. Elite runners now have their blood tested 3 or 4 times or more during a workout to evaluate lactate buildup and adjust the training intervals on the fly. This results in a much better training result than before blood tests.