The bubble wrap under your feet
The secret curved plate
The battle for grip
The speed ban
YOUR GOAL
Master of The wild physics of the modern running shoe
nike Running Shoe Grip
When your outsole slides a millimeter back, that micro-slip is draining your energy.
nike A technical vector diagram displays car tire tread technology on wet city pavement.
nike Match shoe treads to different surfaces to discover how friction makes you faster.
Waffle iron ruin: Bill Bowerman's original 1971 waffle iron experiment was actually dug up from a family landfill in 2010 and is now highly valuable.
How much does tire-grade Continental rubber increase traction on wet surfaces compared to standard shoe rubber?
What household kitchen appliance did Bill Bowerman use in 1971 to create Nike's first grippy running sole?
Which Italian brand, founded in 1937, is famous for making rugged, deep-grooved rubber outsoles for trail running?
Which German car tire manufacturer has partnered with Adidas since 2010 to make high-traction shoe outsoles?
What did early running shoes use for grip before the invention of rubber tread patterns?
Which animal's split-hoof structure inspired modern trail running shoes to have flexible, adaptive outsoles?