Many people lace up their running shoes every day to go for a casual run or compete in competitions. In recent years, there have been advancements in the running shoe industry. However, with all the advancements, carbon-plated shoes have created the most disruption in the industry, and many companies are currently producing carbon-plated shoes.
With this new advancement, retailers in the calçados esportivos industry can take advantage and stock carbon-plated to attract new customers and increase their market share. In this article, we will examine carbon plate shoes—what they are, the technology behind them, and their key advantages, so that you can use them to confidently boost your lineup in 2025.
Conteúdo
Visão geral do Market
What is a carbon plate shoe?
How do carbon-plated running shoes work?
Popular carbon-plated shoe models
Benefits of carbon-plated shoes
Faster race time
Versatilidade
Acessibilidade
Fadiga reduzida
Controversies around carbon-plated shoes
Considerações finais
Visão geral do Market
According to Market Research Intellect, the carbon plate running shoes market was estimated to be worth USD 12.19 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 16.89 billion by 2032, growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) de 3.68% entre 2025 e 2032.
The carbon plate shoe market is growing rapidly, driven by demand for high-performance athletic footwear. The key driver of demand is the growing popularity of running and competitive running sports like marathons.
Carbon-plated running shoes give runners a high energy return, improving propulsion and reducing fatigue, making them popular with long-distance and road runners.
Moreover, there is a rising trend for health and fitness worldwide, with more people taking up recreational running, driving the consumption of carbon fiber-plated shoes.
What is a carbon plate shoe?
Carbon-plated shoes, also called super shoes, are running shoes with a carbon fiber plate incorporated into the midsole and sandwiched between layers of foam material like polyester block amide (PEBA) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
The thin, stiff piece of carbon fiber plate is stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum, making it the ideal material for strengthening tênis de corrida without adding weight.
How do carbon-plated running shoes work?
Many customers may come to you looking to buy carbon fiber running shoes and want to know how they work. So, how do carbon plate shoes work? There is an oversimplified explanation that carbon running shoes are like springs. While they give the runners a spring in their step, calling them a spring would give the false impression that runners don’t have to put in effort, which isn’t the case.
The carbon plate in the shoe helps improve performance and efficiency by:
- Enhancing energy return: When running, the fibra de carbono plate helps the midsole to compress and expand quickly creating a ‘spring-like’ effect, sending more energy back to the runner. When the foot hits the ground, the foam compresses, storing energy, and the carbon plate helps release the energy more efficiently, propelling the runner forward with less effort.
- Reduce energy: Carbon-plated shoes reduce the energy a runner needs, allowing them to maintain faster paces for longer, which is beneficial for marathons.
- Enhance propulsion: The carbon plate’s stiffness helps stabilize the foot and reduce energy loss in toe-off. It has more efficient force transfer, allowing runners to run faster.
- Reduce ankle flexion: The carbon-plate curved shapes help the foot roll naturally, reducing the ankle joint and calf muscle work when propelling a runner forward.
Popular carbon-plated shoe models
Many footwear brands produce different types of carbon fiber-plated running shoes, such as 3-5 mm, 5-8mm, and 8-12 mm. Some of the most popular carbon-plated running shoes include:
- Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris: The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris has a 5mm drop, FF Turbo, and foam underfoot, which gives it a bouncy, propulsive ride despite being incredibly light. They are perfect for 5K and 19K races but can run longer distances.
- Nike Alphafly 3: The Nike Alphafly was the first commercial carbon-plated running shoe. The Nike Alphafly 3 is the lightest Alphafly today, with an 8mm drop and sleek design. Thanks to its continuous midsole, it provides a more aggressive ride. It is ideal for pro athletes and amateurs.
- Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4: The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is lighter than its predecessor, the Pro 3, and has a new shape. It is a top choice for marathon runners.
Some other brands in the carbon plate shoes market include:
- New Balance
- HOKA UM UM
- Puma
- Mizuno
- Skechers
- ON Cloudboom
- Brooks
- Saucony
Benefits of carbon-plated shoes
When selling a product, you must understand its benefits and explain them to the user. While many professional athletes know the benefits, casual runners may not fully understand and appreciate the benefits of carbon plate technology.
Some of the notable benefits of carbon-plated running shoes include the following.
Faster race time
One of the most notable benefits of carbon-plated shoes is their ability to help runners achieve faster times. The top carbon-plated shoes, such as the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly, were worn by Kenyan marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge, who was the first to run a marathon in under two hours. The shoes improve the running economy by 4%.
Versatilidade
While carbon-plated shoes were first made for road racing, they are now available for various terrains, including tracks and trails. Footwear brands have introduced models for different runners, from sprinters to ultramarathoners.
Acessibilidade
Carbon fiber-plated shoes were initially marketed for pro athletes; however, today, they are available to recreational runners, allowing more people to experience the benefits of advanced footwear.
Fadiga reduzida
The carbon plate and responsive midsole foam reduce muscle fatigue, especially in long-distance races like marathons.
Controversies around carbon-plated shoes
While carbon-plated running shoes have many benefits but have controversies and cons. Some of the controversies include:
- Alto custo: Carbon-plated shoes are pricier than normal running shoes, making them inaccessible to most runners.
- Durabilidade: While normal running shoes can last between 300 to 500 miles, carbon-plate shoes last between 100 to 200 miles, making them a costly investment.
- Fairness in competitions: There have been debates with critics urging that carbon-plated running shoes provide an unfair mechanical advantage in races, making them more about technology than pure athletic ability.
Considerações finais
Carbon-plated running shoes have revolutionized the sport, offering faster times and better energy returns. They are worth considering for runners who want to maximize performance.
As a retailer, you should have all the information about them to be a resource to your customers. Educate them about the benefits and controversies surrounding them to give them the full picture.
With the expansion into different running styles, stocking different types and styles of carbon-plated running shoes will give you an edge against your competition.
On the other hand, educating your buyers will make you a powerful resource and create trust and loyalty with your customers.
