The Confusing World of Running Terms.

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rf_fozzy Jan 2020 11:45pm, 13 Jan 2020 9,426 posts	0 rf_fozzy Resurrecting this thread. For interest.
rf_fozzy Jan 2020 11:46pm, 13 Jan 2020 9,427 posts	0 rf_fozzy So I want to know what the kerfufle is about certain running shoes. As I haven't been paying attention. Something about Vapourware?
HappyG(rrr) Jan 2020 9:41am, 14 Jan 2020 33,860 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) I think Nike should invent a Zoon Kerfufle. I'd buy that. Bazo got a sub 3 after 11 years with the Vaporfly - they work! G
rf_fozzy Jan 2020 12:34pm, 14 Jan 2020 9,431 posts	0 rf_fozzy What is a vaporfly? Some wings? (On a moderately serious note - ok - what makes them special? And why all the nonsense about reporting what running shoes people are now wearing?)
jda Jan 2020 12:39pm, 14 Jan 2020 6,119 posts	0 jda They happen to be extremely fast, due to a combination of foam with extremely high recovery, and perhaps also linked to carbon fibre stiffener plates (though these might be mostly to help add stability as the foam is rather soft). Many (but perhaps not all) athletes simply find that they run a lot faster in them than in all other shoes. So it matters now in a way it didn't used to (as other top-end shoes are a lot more similar/overlapping in performance). Other manufacturers might be starting to catch up but it's taken them a few years already...
Diogenes Jan 2020 12:43pm, 14 Jan 2020 44,270 posts	0 Diogenes Should they be banned?
♪♫ Synge ♪♫ Jan 2020 12:45pm, 14 Jan 2020 30,718 posts	0 ♪♫ Synge ♪♫ There was an article in the Times at the weekend and I'll look a nd see if we've still got the print copy at home (unfortunately it is only available to subscribers online). The gist was that a carbon plate in the sole together with extra layers of springy foam in the heel combined to give runners a 4% advantage over their non-Vaporfly-wearing colleagues. They apparently retail for £250 a pair and lots of top runners in lots of top races can be seen wearing them. They may be so good that World Athletics may introduce new rules limiting the use of carbon plates and limiting the thickness of soles.
FreshStart Jan 2020 12:47pm, 14 Jan 2020 3,810 posts	0 FreshStart The Nike debate reminds me of this news.bbc.co.uk
♪♫ Synge ♪♫ Jan 2020 12:48pm, 14 Jan 2020 30,719 posts	0 ♪♫ Synge ♪♫ x-post I suppose there are limitations on equipment that can be used in other sports (eg full-body suits in swimming, types of club in golf), but it's odd to see it being mooted in relation to running.
GordonG Jan 2020 1:03pm, 14 Jan 2020 7,952 posts	0 GordonG i think the female marathon WR was broken last year using Vapourfly shoes, as was that sub-2 hour marathon run.