Why Trail Running Still Hasn’t Had a Vaporfly Moment

Описание: Road running had its breakthrough...trail running hasn’t - yet?

In this episode of the Singletrack Podcast, Finn Melanson talks with sport scientist and physiologist Geoff Burns to unpack one of the biggest open questions in trail running right now: why shoe technology hasn’t produced a single, decisive “Vaporfly moment” on the trails - and whether it ever will.

Geoff explains why trail running is fundamentally different from road running when it comes to performance gains. While road shoes can be optimized for straight-line efficiency on uniform surfaces, trail shoes operate in a far more complex system - one shaped by uneven terrain, gradients, stability demands, traction, weight, and constantly changing conditions

Geoff explains:

Why super-shoe logic breaks down on trails
The real role of foams, plates, and energy return off-road
Why shoe tech gains often disappear on uphill, downhill, or technical terrain
Whether trail shoes are nearing saturation—or still wide open for innovation
How weight, traction, durability, and stability compete with pure efficiency
Why different trail races may require entirely different “optimal” shoes
What shoe tech might be changing in the sport

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Trail Running Shoe Technology
03:00 The Evolution of Road Running Shoes
05:46 Understanding Foam and Plate Interactions
08:56 Challenges in Trail Shoe Design
12:10 The Future of Trail Running Shoes
14:56 Material Innovations in Trail Running
17:53 The Role of Traction and Weight
21:05 Optimizing for Performance and Safety
24:14 The Nuances of Rubber and Grip
27:07 Conclusion and Future Directions
34:33 The Evolution of Trail Running Shoes
42:02 The Role of EVA in Modern Footwear
46:00 Training with Advanced Foams and Plates
51:30 The Future of Gear Regulation in Trail Running
01:05:59 The Future of Trail Running Sponsorships
01:11:43 The Impact of Shoe Technology on Performance
01:15:48 Comparing Historical Performances in Trail Running
01:21:43 Biomechanics and the Evolution of Running Shoes
01:33:28 Training Strategies for Trail Runners

Partners:

Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)

Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/pl...)

deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (https://partners.deltagketones.com/SI...)

Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)

Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) to get 30% off your purchase.

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