Step into the fast lane with our deep dive into super shoes — the revolutionary footwear changing the face of distance running.

We break down what actually makes a shoe “super” (01:45), take you inside the never-before-told history of Nike’s prototype era (06:30), and trace how the Vaporfly flipped the script on competitive marathoning (18:50). From foam wars to carbon plates, from elite deception to banned shoes, this is the complete story of the super shoe — past, present, and what’s coming next.

We also get creative and build our dream super shoes using the best components on the market (38:30), and we power rank the top models you can buy in 2025 (50:20), including why Puma may have just launched the fastest shoe ever (53:00).

🏁 Highlights:

• What defines a true super shoe? (01:45)
• Nike’s early secrets & Kipchoge’s prototype (06:30)
• Breaking2 and the birth of the Vaporfly (18:50)
• Tech doping and World Athletics’ rules (30:50)
• Our fantasy shoe builds (38:30)
• 2025’s best shoes ranked (50:20)
• Is innovation peaking — or just beginning? (58:45)

💡 Have a question or shoe pick? Drop us a comment on Spotify or find us on Instagram @marathonhandbook.

🎧 Subscribe to the Marathon Handbook Podcast and check out our new sister show: Run Long Run Healthy — science-backed insights to help you run smarter and stay injury-free.