Energy return in running shoes explained (2025)

Great read, that site is also super useful for fairly objective shoe reviews and breakdowns in a world full of influencers trying to peddle you shit they don’t understand

I’ve been on this “get back in shape” journey for almost two years now. About a year ago I started walk jog intervals two days a week, then three, then four. I ramped up slowly (maybe too slow) specifically to save my knees. I recently got some asic nimbus shoes. These are running shoes with inch thick soft soles that squish noticeably when you walk or run. They also add a lot of instability and I really feel it in my knees. Impact is a lot better though. They seem springy. Interesting to read the present article. A tiny bit of springiness won’t help me but may help others.

Don't show this to Christopher McDougall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_to_Run_(McDougall_book)

Disclaimer:I run in minimalistic shoes, so of course I'm a hater of this stuff.

I find the current trend of springloaded shoes that incentivice people to have a terrible running gait absolutely disgusting.

If it weren't for commercial interests I bet these shoes would have been banned long ago. They are bad for the runners and they are bad for the sport.

As a year-round flip-flopper for many years now, those clips of shoes rocking sideways under pressure are nerve wracking to look at. Most (all?) shoes are terrible ankle hazards. Never have I twisted my ankles with flip-flops.

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Why?