Maybe you have not heard yet, but Carbon Fibre plates are the new rage in footwear for sports.
The best carbon plate running shoes may now be the edge to improve your competition and marathon running performance.
Table of Contents
- What are Carbon Plate Running Shoes
- How Carbon Plate Running Shoes Help
- Features of a Good Carbon Plate Running Shoe
- Reviews: The Best Carbon Plate Running Shoes
- Index Table: Top Rated Carbon Plate Running Shoes
What are Carbon Plate Running Shoes
In 2017 the brand Nike first released a racing shoe specifically engineered to improve running dramatically and test the limits of human performance.
This specific model is the Vaporfly, that was cushioned with a very lightweight foam to keep the weight down to 6.8 ounces, and the midsole contained a spatula-shaped carbon fiber plate. The purpose of this carbon fiber plate was to help fling the runner forward with every step.
After this, Hoka One and many other shoe brands have developed similar fiber plate technology in their midsole, and Nike models containing this technology have advanced in design.
So what exactly is carbon Fiber?
Carbon Fiber, or graphite fiber, is fibers around 5 to 10 micrometers in diameter, composed mainly of carbon atoms.
Carbon fibers have many advantages, including their high stiffness, tensile strength, extremely low weight and strength, and high-temperature resistance. They also have quite a low thermal expansion.
The fibers are usually combined with other materials to produce carbon fiber plates to form a composite. When it is permeated with either a plastic resin and then baked, it will form a carbon fiber reinforced polymer called carbon fiber r a carbon fiber plate. This plate is reinforced in hardness and strength to add as a layer to a sports shoe.
However, please keep in mind carbon fiber in itself is quite expensive.
How Carbon Plate Running Shoes Help
So, do carbon fiber plate running shoes really help in your running performance?
The technology of carbon fiber plates in sports shoes is superior to the technology in most traditional running shoes. However, even now, more testing is to be done, as most have reported the technology very effectively.
The Carbon Fiber Plate does, however, help in the following ways;
- Compression and Expansion of Cushioning – The Carbon plate helps the cushioning foam in the insole and midsole of the running shoe to compress and expand much easier and faster with every step, which in turn provides much better energy return to the runner.
- Stability – The carbon fiber plate’s design also helps stabilize the runner’s ankles in such a way as to reduce rotational force and lessen the work performed by the calve muscles. So, you do not get fatigued easily and can stay in the race longer with faster recovery.
- Straighter Toes – The plate also helps to improve the posture of your forefoot and keeps your toes straighter, which provides more comfort and helps with energy return.
Every little bit helps any marathon runner, so even if it reduces only 4% of the effort they have to put in, it is still worth it in the end.
The Carbon plate technology in running shoes does help a bit with performance, but mostly it lessens your risk for injuries and overuse injuries which is a bonus.
Features of a Good Carbon Plate Running Shoe
In the video, the Carbon Fiber Plate shoe technology is explained in a bit more detail;
- Uppers – Most carbon Plates reinforced running shoes have mesh or engineered knit uppers with different midfoot technologies for stability and are more lightweight.
- Midsole and Cushioning – For the midsole, you can look at technology such as the Flytefoam low-density midsole, Energy foam as in the Mizuno, and EVA and Rubber foam blends. Then there is also the DNA zero-drop midsole that adapts t your stride and speeds roll midsole technology. Most running shoes will have a lightly cushioned insole lined for comfort and wick away moisture.
- Other Technology – The Carbon Plate is Placed in the midsole area and can be a spatula-shaped or fan wave design plate. Carbon fiber may also be incorporated into the rubber sole. Then there is propulsion carbon plate technology and guide-sole carbon plate technology.
- Outsole – Most running shoes have a rubber outsole with a patterned tread for grip and traction.
- Options – Options available in running shoes are color and usually size as well as width options.
Reviews: The Best Carbon Plate Running Shoes
Here are our top favorites in running shoes that have a carbon plate technology system;
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1
Carbon Plate Running Shoe
- The New Balance FuelCell Running shoe is designed with the input of a very elite athlete.
- This model has some of the most advanced midsole foam technology and a Carbon fiber plate.
- It still holds the Dynaride technology and a very advanced outsole with added traction. On a variety of surfaces.
- The uppers are a very lightweight and breathable mesh with synthetic overlays for structure.
2
Carbon Plate Running Shoe
- The Asics Metaracer has synthetic and mesh uppers that are breathable and lightweight.
- It has Guidesole technology with a curved sole and stiffer forefoot to reduce ankle flexion and fatigue of the leg muscles.
- There is a FlyteFoam technology midsole for responsive cushioning and bounce-back energy.
- The Metatracer also employs the new Carbon Fiber Plate technology in the sole.
- Furthermore, the outsole has Asics Grip technology rubber for traction.
3
Carbon Plate Running Shoe
- The Saucony Endorphin Pro is a lightweight and swift running shoe.
- It features Formfit-engineered knit uppers that are lightweight and breathable and locks your feet in a glove-like fit.
- The tongue and collar are lightly padded for your comfort.
- There is a removable insole and a PWRRUN PB midsole for cushioning and shock absorbency.
- The outsole has speed roll technology to propel you forward and a carbon fiber plate.
- The tread has a high traction design with a durable rubber sole.
4
Carbon Plate Running Shoe
- From 361 Degrees, not a very well-known brand, we have Sensation 3, high-performance stability running shoe with a carbon fiber plate.
- There are synthetic and mesh uppers and a more open-design toe box.
- It has a Fitz-Rite midfoot design with internal webbing to hold your feet and a locked-down position,
- A quick comfort insole provides cushioning, and an EVA blend midsole for responses.
- The outsole is a durable and high-traction rubber.
5
Carbon Plate Running Shoe
- The Brooks Hyperion Elite is a lightweight running shoe with carbon fiber plate technology.
- It has a foam sole and cushioning DNA ZERO midsole that is extremely lightweight.
- The Carbon Fiber propulsion Plate has a unique spine construction that speeds up heel-to-toe transitioning.
- The sizes available are unisex, with choices for men and women.
6
Carbon Plate Running Shoe
- From Mizuno Wave, we have the Wave Inspire 17 running shoe that also features Carbon Fiber Plate Technology.
- There are engineered mesh uppers for breathability and durability.
- It has a durable and high-traction rubber sole.
- The Enerzy midsole provides a more springy cushioning foam for energy return.
- The outsole consists of X10, more durable carbon rubber, and a Fan Wave Plate.
Index Table: Top Rated Carbon Plate Running Shoes
No. | Shoe | Men ♂ | Women ♀ | Features | Brand | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New Balance® - Carbon Plate Running Shoe | FuelCell RC Elite | FuelCell RC Elite |
| New Balance | 98 |
2 | Asics® - Carbon Plate Running Shoe | Metaracer | Metaracer |
| Asics | 97.9 |
3 | Saucony® - Carbon Plate Running Shoe | Endorphin Pro | Endorphin Pro |
| Saucony | 97 |
4 | 361 degrees® - Carbon Plate Running Shoe | Sensation 3 | Sensation |
| 361 degrees | 97 |
5 | Brooks® - Carbon Plate Running Shoe | Hyperion | Hyperion |
| Brooks | 97 |
6 | Mizuno® - Carbon Plate Running Shoe | Wave Inspire 17 | Wave Inspire 17 |
| Mizuno | 96.9 |