RunSociety – Asia's Leading Online Running MagazineRunSociety – Asia's Leading Online Running Magazine
  • Home
  • BMI Calculator
  • Online Races
  • Crossline Shop
  • Virtual Race as a Service
  • Cool Deals
  • About RunSociety
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Categories
  • Community
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Gears
  • Health & Injuries
  • Highlight
  • Inspiration
  • Interviews
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Races
  • Reviews
  • Training
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • Races
  • News
  • Highlight
  • Reviews
  • Gears
  • Interviews
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Training
  • Inspiration
  • Health & Injuries
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
RunSociety – Asia's Leading Online Running MagazineRunSociety – Asia's Leading Online Running Magazine
  • Home
    • About RunSociety
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • BMI Calculator
  • Online Races
  • Crossline Shop
  • Virtual Race as a Service
  • Shop
RunSociety – Asia's Leading Online Running MagazineRunSociety – Asia's Leading Online Running Magazine
Home»Opinions»Are Your Running Shoes Smarter Than You Are?
Opinions

Are Your Running Shoes Smarter Than You Are?

Aidan H.By Aidan H.July 1, 2020Updated:July 3, 20205 Mins Read
Facebook WhatsApp Twitter Email LinkedIn Pinterest
Are Your Running Shoes Smarter Than You Are?
Share
Facebook WhatsApp Twitter Email LinkedIn Pinterest

We looked into the smart running shoe trend back in 2017, but given the rate at which this technology has exploded, our news is old news.

These days, manufacturers are all over the board in terms of innovation, introducing high-tech cushioning and foot control devices that claim to make your run smoother or at the very least more comfortable. Then there are “memory” components marketed to appeal to consumers who crave the latest and greatest.

That stated, smart running shoes are here to stay. Athletes may as well get used to this footwear niche because it’s not going anywhere, writes John Davis for RunnersConnect.

Davis refers to scientific studies evaluating “perceptual illusions” about the efficacy of a shoe’s cushioning, for example.

Why are smart running shoes important?

Are Your Running Shoes Smarter Than You Are?

Because thanks to innovations, “your shoe will fit you perfectly,” notes Kieran Alger whose Wareable article tackles the subject from every aspect.

He calls the relationship between feet and biomechanics “unique” thus the use of new materials, smarter print technology and “the need to reduce environmental impact is moving us closer to a world where 3D printed, bespoke shoes are a reality,” he adds.

Artificial intelligence-driven, sensor-laden shoes are increasingly clever at reporting back on running behaviors. Says Alger, “adidas is already testing the technology and Salomon has recently developed…technology where the lower part of the shoe—including the drop, cushioning and the outsole—can be customised to work with your biomechanics.”

Injury prone? Under Armour’s smart chip battery is not just engineered to outlast a pair of running shoes past the 300 miles recommended to guard against injury, but designed to keep tracking performance so accurately, developers insist that battery will tell you when it’s time to replace your shoes, thus avoiding future injuries.

Not so far into the future…

Scientists envision a world in which a runner walks into a shop and subjects her feet to 3D scans that creates a unique footprint. The computer-designed model takes just days to produce and land on your doorstep.

At present, sensors are being installed outside running shoes because wearers find them more comfortable, says Angus Nelson, cofounder at Stryd.

Typical of these are the Under Armour Speedform Gemini 2 and 3 and the Altra Running IQ. When it comes to chips in shoes, some challenges still need to be conquered, adds Nelson, but uniformity may have to be compromised since all shoe companies own specific niches (e.g. Hoka wide bottoms; Nike’s waffle plates).

The ultimate goal is finding ways to take running data from individuals and adapting shoes to the way that person runs.

Under Armour remains on the leading edge with its chip-laden HOVR Phantom Sonic. Boost and Nike React technology imbeds lightweight chips into foam that senses when a runner steps off, then captures distance, stride length and cadence metrics.

Sensoria’s three smart shoe sole sensors can track the way the foot hits the ground. There are myriad other innovations being explored by every smart running shoe wannabe manufacturer on the planet, so keeping up with this technology is going to be no easy job down the road.

Are smart shoes getting too smart?

Are Your Running Shoes Smarter Than You Are?

You don’t have to be a technological wizard to know that just about everything you do in life these days is being monitored, assessed and analyzed, which is why Kieran Alger’s prognostication, “Your running shoes will know you like Netflix knows you,” shouldn’t surprise you. While it’s great that your proclivity for film genres can help streaming services create menus filled with movie picks you may not be able to resist, how do you feel about the idea that your running shoes are fast becoming data collectors, too?

Nurvv smart insoles are embedded with 32 sensors and will offer so many other benefits, you must read about them to believe them. You can acquire these $300 accessories, and could wind up with the smartest feet on the planet.

Smart shoes and online races: A marriage made in heaven

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of all comes with your desire to take part in online races that require you to upload the distances you run up electronically, so you are free to take your run and your participation wherever your travels lead you.

The electronic devices now doing that job are fast being replaced by smart shoes capable of collecting that data and reporting it to entities like Spacebib.

Peruse online events currently listed on the Spacebib menu to see how many opportunities you will have in the near future to synch up your smart shoes so totals are sent directly to your Spacebib account.

The end result? Your totals can be verified faster and more accurately. It’s the wave of the future. And an ideal merging of fashion, function and futurism.

How willing are you to spend the kind of money it will require for state-of-the-art smart running shoes? What would you be willing to give up to make that happen?

Running Shoes Technology
Share. Facebook WhatsApp Twitter Email LinkedIn Pinterest
Aidan H.
Aidan H.
  • Website

Aidan is the Editor-in-Chief of RunSociety. With more than a decade of editorial and marketing experience working with over 1,124 writers. Aidan has also written for several popular websites reaching millions of readers. Recognised as an expert on the web, his focus is to oversee RunSociety’s Creativity Channel, spanning a wide range of inspirational and enriching topics daily to the running community. Get in touch with him if you have something to say, or want to weigh in on an interesting topic at hello@runsociety.com.

Related Posts

New Skechers GOrun Running Shoes: More Efficiency, Stability and Comfort

January 25, 2022

How to measure running shoe size properly

December 20, 2021

Take your running to a whole new level with Puma Nitros

August 11, 2021
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Subscribe to Updates

Get free access to the latest running event updates, promotions, product announcements and much more!

MINDS commemorates its 60th anniversary with a Colour Socks Parade

April 9, 2022

Never Heard of Holo Run? Ask Your Local Unicorn for Details

February 8, 2022

Put Your Best Foot Forward at Singapore’s “City in Nature” Challenge!

November 27, 2021

Climb Virtually with Community Chest!

September 8, 2021
RunSociety – Asia's Leading Online Running Magazine
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Community Guidelines
  • Ethics Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Policies

With a commitment and pride to quality content for the running community. RunSociety is, and always has been an independent body.

Copyright © 2011 - 2022 RunSociety. All Rights Reserved. Designed & Developed In House.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.