How often do you train in super shoes?

Whenever I want to race a workout to build confidence and overtrain.

I was surprised to see how many Kenyans were using Vaporflys for workouts on dirt roads as well as for track .Those elite teams must know a little more than the rest of us hobby joggers ..

No they don't. They wear the free stuff that they get for free.

I was actually thinking about this because I did my first workout in vaporflys in months today. I mainly use them for time trials or sessions where I want to get some more race specific splits (or just feel good about hitting a pace). From what I’ve observed at the local CC track I run at, though, most people use them for every workout. The other day I saw a huge group of all ages and genders doing intervals and every single person had a super shoe on. As long as the shoes are $200+ I’ll be using mine sparingly but to each their own.

Never. I did a couple big workouts in them before I wore them for racing the first time, but after that they feel perfectly natural on race day.

I use my old Vaporfly's often in training. Especially for tempo runs

I only race in them. I like the mental advantage it gives me when I train in trainers then dust off the box and put them on for the race. I think having a special race-only pair of shoes is a great idea.

I’m old and can easily afford $250 shoes, so I run in VaporFlys or Tempo Next%s daily. Helps with recovery.

I use retired supershoes as treadmill shoes. I might put about 150 miles on supershoes in 10k/half/full marathons. I have been surprised with the VFs lasting an extra 400 miles and even the Alphas lasting an extra 200. But, outdoor I save them for the tune-up 10k to break them in and half/full marathons.

Unless Saucony Endorphin Pro count as supershoes. I don't compared to the Adizero Pro and Alphas, but they probably meet the technical definition. I use the Endorphin v2s (bought on sale) as daily trainers.

I sometimes think they have less impact on my legs than heavy trainers. If that's really the case then it might be good to train in them more often.

Save them for race day and maybe 1-2 good workouts in the build up to get used to the feel. In my opinion the “recover faster” thought process is just good marketing. In reality, the super shoes just make running less stressful so it’s easier to recover. Apparently there will be a study looking at this soon so I may eat my words there haha

Anecdotally you can still max out your aerobic system in traditional shoes while also improving foot and calf strength. This also makes race day really fun when you put in the fast shoe!

🤨 so, they are good for recovery?

I do, but depends on the session, and goal.

Predominatly aerobic sessions, nah. Threshold / tempo plus. Yep. 2 reasons - firstly, allows for better performance. 2. Preparation for races.

Now, track sessions - I might use any of flat trainers, carbon plated trainers(or Endorphin Speeds which are similar), or spikes. It all depends on distance, speed, expected outcomes etc... and particularly which training stage I'm in.

Never.

I actually wore the vaporfly a while back for a longer tempo run and pulled my hamstring. That would have never happened in my regular shoes.

I will do some workouts in the Flyknits because they have the same upper as the %, then race in the % only

Older runner here. I use a daily trainers with the new foam for better recovery. Currently wearing the On cloud monster. Great shoe.

I have started wearing them more for workouts, mainly because I over bought in 2021 and there isn’t a trainer that I am crazy about. So rather than buy another pair of trainers I work the Next%s in once or twice a week. It has helped my workouts (no surprise there). I have personally moved on from the idea of saving them for races. I try to work out in a mix of everything except for traditional racing flats.

Absolutely! I haven't taken a single step in a non-super running shoe since I got my hands on my first pair of 4%'s.

For training runs on road, I use the Tempo Next% that is supposed to be Nike’s training shoes and it has a poly (not carbon) plate though it seems to provide a similar economy advantage, but it’s not much cheaper than the racing shoe and I don’t really understand why the minor differences in stack height and heel drop make it any more suitable for training, so you might as well get two pairs of super shoes if you can afford it.

For track workouts, I prefer a slimmer carbon shoe and use the ASICS Metaracer.

I haven’t found any real cons except my occasional runs in non-carbon shoes seem predictably harder in comparison though I’m never sure if it’s all just in my head.