Chapter 1
The bubble wrap under your feet
Chapter 2
The secret curved plate
Chapter 3
The battle for grip
Chapter 4
The speed ban
YOUR GOAL
Master of The wild physics of the modern running shoe
Ch 1 · The bubble wrap under your feet
nike Running Shoe Midsole Foam
Nitrogen bubbles, squishing then snapping, powering your pace!
Fun Fact
Pebax foam: Originally designed for ski boots and car bumpers, Pebax foam is so light it actually floats on water.
Quiz
Which part of a running shoe is primarily responsible for absorbing impact and returning energy to the runner?
Quiz
Why did Adidas switch to TPU beads instead of traditional EVA foam for their Boost shoes?
Quiz
What material introduced in 1975 first revolutionized running shoe cushioning by using air-filled plastic bubbles?
Quiz
In 2013, which brand launched midsoles made of steam-fused thermoplastic polyurethane beads?
Quiz
What percentage of energy does standard 1970s EVA foam return to a runner compared to modern Pebax foam?
Quiz
What happens to the tiny air bubbles inside traditional EVA foam over hundreds of miles of running?
Quiz
Which high-tech polymer, originally used in aerospace, allows modern running shoes to return up to 85% of energy?