The Technology Behind Modern Athletic Shoes

Twenty years ago a sports shoe was a rubber sole and a leather upper. Today it is built in layers, and each layer has a job worth knowing before you choose. The midsole is the heart of the shoe. Traditional EVA foam is light, affordable and absorbs impact well, but it loses some of its bounce after a few hundred kilometres. Newer high-rebound foams return more of the landing energy, which is why you find them in speed shoes. The upper has changed too. A knit upper is made in one piece with no seams, so it wraps the foot without rubbing; double mesh breathes and keeps its shape; and heat-welded panels replace stitching wherever support is needed. Last comes the shape of the sole. A sole curved from heel to toe rolls the foot forward, which helps when running fast, while a gym shoe needs a flat, wide base that keeps you steady in lifts and lateral moves. No shoe does everything, which is why our shoes are sorted by use.