What is the best way to cut into the footwear market? episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 25, 2026 · 45 MIN

What is the best way to cut into the footwear market?

from The Sports Engineering Podcast · host The Sports Engineering Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matt Head to explore the world of performance footwear design and the engineering innovation behind the shoes we run in. We cover the world of design and brand heritage and Matt shares insights from his experience at brands including HOKA, The North Face, inov8, and Reebok. We discuss how running shoes have evolved from stirrup-inspired designs to modern carbon-plated super shoes, the balance between aesthetics, comfort and performance, and what it really takes to turn a bold concept into a product athletes trust.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matt Head to explore the world of performance footwear design and the engineering innovation behind the shoes we run in. We cover the world of design and brand heritage and Matt shares insights from his experience at brands including HOKA, The North Face, inov8, and Reebok. We discuss how running shoes have evolved from stirrup-inspired designs to modern carbon-plated super shoes, the balance between aesthetics, comfort and performance, and what it really takes to turn a bold concept into a product athletes trust.

NOW PLAYING

What is the best way to cut into the footwear market?

0:00 45:15

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast?

This episode is 45 minutes long.

When was this The Sports Engineering Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on February 25, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matt Head to explore the world of performance footwear design and the engineering innovation behind the shoes we run in. We cover the world of design and brand heritage and Matt shares insights from his...

Can I download this The Sports Engineering Podcast episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!