#87 Does Every Shoe Need a Plate? Discussing the Biggest Midsole Trends Right Now

Nate, DJ, and Matt take a look at all the current trends in shoe midsole designs. Do new generation foams really help performance? Are softer shoes better? Do rockers, guidance lines, and higher stack shoes make a difference? What about plates: how much do they improve running economy? Join us for a look at these questions and more. This week's episode is sponsored by Running Warehouse! Memorial Day is coming up, which means lots of deals on your favorite running shoes over the past year is coming up. There's some great shoes you'll want to keep an eye on that we've loved including the Hoka Carbon X2, Saucony Ride 14, and Asics Magic Speed. Spring is also in full gear with some big releases out now including the Nike React Infinity 3, Asics Cumulus 24 with their new Flytefoam Blast Midsole, and the Saucony Axon 2. Additionally, there's a big Brooks Bra sale for 35% off starting mid-May for runners looking to stock up and get ready for the summer. Running Warehouse has been a longtime favorite of ours for their fantastic variety and excellent customer service. Check them out! The Subjective: What's your current favorite midsole foam? Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:48 - The Subjective: What's your current favorite midsole foam? 13:40 - Trends in misoles foams 25:23 - Trends in midsole geometries 35:24 - Dovetail heels 39:05 - Guidance lines 43:07 - Midsole cutouts 53:29 - Trends in shoe stack height 1:02:53 - Trends in midsole drop ratio 1:05:21 - Trends in midsole plates 1:15:41 - Future trends 1:24:19 - Wrap-up