From Issue Six of Gear Patrol Magazine.
Discounted domestic shipping + 15% off in the GP store for new subscribers.
Foam has become the single most important aspect of a running shoe, for both performance and marketing. Every sneaker superpower has its own premium version, and all claim to have the best available. Brands continue to push the needle toward softer yet more durable foams that will give you the most comfortable run possible, while also offering the most energy returned over the course of the 300 to 500 miles that make up the life of a sneaker.
Some companies are pushing the boundaries by creating proprietary foams backed with their own athlete-driven data; others simply license out foams developed by large chemical engineering companies. Regardless of the methods of innovation, the race for the “best” foam is driving advancements left and right, giving you, the runner, more options than ever before.
To get a better understanding of what’s actually going on inside these shoes — and to see if there are apparent differences — we decided to gather a bunch of ‘em and, well, chop them in half. And then we asked product people from each brand to tell us what exactly we were looking at. Remember, though: there’s no better way to figure out what shoe will work best for you than getting out there and trying them on yourself.
Adidas Boost
“The TPU foam is both compressible and springy, [and] provides energy return, durability and temperature resistance. The EVA provides comfort, weight and smooth transition, to help you run longer more comfortably,” Matthias Amm, Product Category Director for Adidas Running says.
