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 4 · The speed ban
nike A bright graphic line measures the forty-millimeter sole of a high-tech running shoe.
Fun Fact
Barefoot gold: In 1960, Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila won the Olympic marathon barefoot because his shoes didn't fit, setting a world record.
Glossary
stack height (noun)
The thickness of a shoe's sole, measured from the ground to the insole. In 2020, World Athletics capped this measurement at 40 millimeters to regulate high-tech marathon footwear.
The thickness of a shoe's sole, measured from the ground to the insole. In 2020, World Athletics capped this measurement at 40 millimeters to regulate high-tech marathon footwear.
Quiz
What is the maximum sole thickness allowed by World Athletics for official competition shoes?
Quiz
What term do critics use to describe the unfair advantage gained from advanced athletic gear?
Quiz
How many rigid carbon-fiber plates are officially allowed inside a running shoe under World Athletics rules?
Quiz
Which legendary runner won the 1960 Rome Olympic marathon while running completely barefoot?