These shoes grabbed my attention with their advertised shoe description: "Pace-Tuned" running shoes. Their road running shoes come in 6 models: Z20, Z30, Z40, Z50, Z60, and Z70
They define their "pace-tuned" running shoes as:
"Scientifically engineered for optimal performance within a specified pace zone."
According to their web page, each model is intended for a range of running paces:
Z20 (4:30-6:00 min/mile), Z30 (5:00-7:00 min/mile), Z40 (6:00-8:00 min/mile), Z50 (7:00-9:00 min/mile), Z60 (8:00-10:30 min/mile), and Z70 (10-13:00 min/mile) runners.
I am somewhat skeptical. I find it hard to believe that a shoe tuned to be ideal for 5:00 min/mi pace would also be ideal for 7:00 min/mi pace as a general rule. The mechanics, forces, musculoskeletal demands, etc., are so far apart between these two paces. Also, an elite athlete running at 5 min/mi pace is very different biomechanically from a novice running at 7 min/mi pace - how can the shoe be ideally tuned for both these individuals? Furthermore, the biomechanics, weight, etc., among novices and among faster runners also vary significantly within each pace range.
On their website, they describe it as "personalized max cushioning, increased torsional stability, and improved propulsion efficiency at your pace." "The secret is in the midsole. We've adjusted the density of the midsole foam in each model to is responds appropriately to the forces generated at the pace you run." (yes, it says "to is" on the website description).
"We’re now able to calculate the exact impact force and propulsion force, in Newtons, for any pace, including variations for height, weight, and cadence. (A Newton is a metric unit of force.) Data from the Forces in Running study we conducted aligned with the force calculations we got from the physics. In other words, we know it works.
Knowing the precise impact and propulsion forces at each pace, allowed us to create shoe models for different pace zones. So our pace-tuned technology is based on pure physics. No hand waving, no conjecture, no correlative studies, no self-reported data sets, no marketing fluff. We started with the physics of human running, and it led us to pace-tuned shoes."
They go on:
"IS THIS REAL? Yes, the tech is patented, based in physics, confirmed by data from an IRB-approved human study, endorsed by our distinguished Medical Advisory Board, and the shoes have been rigorously road and trail tested since 2019.
From 2018 to 2021, we built a physics-of-running equation, confirmed our predictions with study data, and developed our FastPod tech.
The science is clear. Pace tuning is the only way to get all the personalized cushioning you want AND all the stability and propulsion efficiency you need to run well."
But they don't have their "science page" posted to "know more":
"WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Head to our Science page (coming soon!) to read more about our FastPod technology."
Then they make an appeal to the slowest of the slow runners:
"Most companies make shoes for the fast runners and sell them to the rest of us. Meanwhile, we're taking the extra time, testing, and cost to make shoes for the pace YOU run. Not someone else. One pace doesn't fit all! When you're running 13 minutes per mile, you're every bit a runner as someone running 5 minutes per mile. And you deserve a shoe that's made for your pace."
The marketing pitch seems a little over the top IMO, although I suppose that's par for the course in today's world. On the other hand, if the shoes are great, the shoes are great. Again, I'm somewhat skeptical of a one-size-fits-all approach for all those who run in a relatively broad pace range being a significant innovation, other than another way of organizing shoe categories. Particularly at the faster shoe categories, I would believe biomechanical variations among runners within those pace ranges leave too many variables unaccounted for to claim they are ideal based solely on the pace. Also, what's the difference between this vs other brands having shoes with different properties and purposes in their lineup (other than defining them by pace range recommendations). Ironically(ha!), the Vimazi approach, claiming to be "highly individualized", actually comes off as more cookie-cutter.
On their website landing page, they have testimonials such as ""Best shoe I've ever worn", Doug Winn, American Record Holder."
I looked him up and it turns out he set the age 60 half marathon, 20k, and 25k ARs (all in the same race) at age 60, back in 2010.
Does anyone here on the boards have some personal experience, or knowledge of independent testing information on the shoes to perhaps strengthen the legitimacy of their concept?
