Nike Flyknit<\/a><\/p>\n Nike Vaporfly 4%<\/a><\/p>\n Saucony Endorphin Pro<\/a><\/p>\n While carbon-plated shoes \u2014 running shoes that have a thin, rigid carbon-fiber plate in the sole to improve speed \u2014 are only becoming more popular for races, last year\u2019s top shoe was on the opposite side of the spectrum from these performance-driven shoes.<\/p>\n The Super Shoe Revolution<\/p>\n The Nike Flyknit is a lower-cushioned shoe, not considered a particularly speedy racing shoe, nor a higher cushioned shoe often associated with the marathon distance \u2014 in a way, it entirely goes against the way shoes are trending toward maximum cushion and carbon plates.<\/p>\n In fact, Nike recently announced a robotics-driven innovation<\/a> in its shoe lineup, which it\u2019s calling the world\u2019s first powered running shoe designed to help athletes move faster and farther with less strain on the body.<\/p>\n But the second-most popular shoe offers a totally different experience from the Flyknit. The Nike Vaporfly 4% was the brand\u2019s \u2014 and the running world\u2019s \u2014 first carbon-plated shoe, hitting the market in 2017. Carbon-plated shoes are meant for speed, but the added cushion (or stack height) of super shoes like the Vaporfly makes them suitable for longer distances like the marathon (however, the Nike Alphafly is considered a better marathon shoe, given its higher cushion).<\/p>\n The Saucony Endorphin Pro falls into the super shoe category as well, offering the Massachusetts-based company\u2019s own take on a racing shoe. The Endorphin Pro is a higher-cushioned shoe than Nike\u2019s Vaporfly and less firm (firmness is often associated with better energy return, while more cushion is favorable for comfort).<\/p>\n Studies are increasingly showing that super shoes can not only improve speed, but may help reduce fatigue and muscle strain, allowing runners to run harder for longer distances<\/a>. Other evidence indicates super shoes can also help improve recovery, allowing runners \u2014 notably, professional athletes \u2014 to race hard and return to hard training quicker than ever.<\/p>\n See Also<\/p>\n That being said, there is other research<\/a> that indicates super shoes could increase injury risk, especially in the lower leg, including bone stress injuries and tendonitis \u2014 that\u2019s why most experts recommend not wearing carbon-plated shoes for every, or even most, runs.<\/p>\n High Price, Short Lifespan<\/p>\n Injury risk isn\u2019t the only deterrence to wearing carbon-plated shoes for the majority of your runs \u2014 the footwear comes with a high price tag and a short lifespan.\u00a0<\/p>\n The majority of super shoes break down quickly, only lasting about 150 to 250 miles at most, and cost upwards of $200. An everyday trainer, for reference, will last about 400 miles on average, costing somewhere between $120 to $160.<\/p>\n The Nike Flyknit by comparison originally retailed for $120 (now just under $71<\/a>, as it is an older model), while the Vaporfly went for $250 when it was first launched, and the Endorphin Pro cost $240<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"woman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kane-Lifestyle-x-Hike-180x180.webp.webp\")
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