Cheap Shoe Vs Super Running Shoes | Does Price Really Make A Difference?

Most running shoe brands have their own high-end “Super Shoe” now, usually containing a
carbon plate and made from ultra-light materials, it’s hard to argue with the science & the results!
We thought we’d put it to the test to see what's really better! Cheap shoe or Super Shoes?!

Over the last few years, a new type of super running shoe has entered the market, capturing the attention of all runners around the world, promising the next level of performance and generally carrying a price tag to match.

Most running shoe manufacturers have their own high-end “Super Shoe” now usually containing a
carbon plate and made from ultra-light materials, it’s hard to argue with the science, and even
harder to argue with the results!

But we thought we’d give it a go anyway, and so, today, we bring you the showdown that you
never thought you needed it!

If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍

Submit your content here:

Watch more on GTN...

Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
ES_Bag On Me - A P O L L O
ES_Bubblegum - Dylan Sitts
ES_Cash Out (Instrumental Version) - Nbhd Nick
ES_Crack On - Dylan Sitts
ES_foreverlasting - Justnormal
ES_Gray Matter - Smartface
ES_Hidden Hills - Damma Beatz
ES_Ice Cold Beverage - Dylan Sitts
ES_Ice Rink - Ballpoint
ES_Like a River (Instrumental Version) - Nbhd Nick
ES_On Track - Dylan Sitts
ES_Rich City - A P O L L O
ES_This House - Gregory David
ES_Walk through Kyoto - Sarah, the Illstrumentalist

Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images

The Global Triathlon Network (GTN) is the world's biggest triathlon YouTube channel, with new videos every day! GTN is for anyone who loves triathlon: from seasoned triathletes to first timers – and everyone in between!

With the help of our former pro and Olympic medal winning team, we’re here to inform, entertain and inspire you to become a better triathlete; including videos on:

- How to swim, bike, and run faster with expert knowledge
- Try our session ideas
- Investigations into wide ranging topics
- The best triathlon bike tech and gear with pro know-how
- In-depth, entertaining features from the heart of the sport
- Chat, opinion and interact with us across the channel and on social media!

Join us on YouTube’s best triathlon channel to get closer to the sport and to become a better, faster and fitter triathlete!

Welcome to the Global Triathlon Network.

Thanks to our sponsors:

[Kewinrecords]

Next time you should try wearing the cheap one on the left foot and the expensive one of the right foot and see which side finishes first.

[telanos]

Some things:
1. Both Mark and Sam come across as really wholesome, nice guys. Somehow, this makes for an oddly relaxing video to watch.
2. This kind of video calls for a blind trial, where the runner doesn't know which shoe is being worn. I'm not entirely sure how to manage such a feat, but I'm pretty sure it would be entertaining with Mark and Sam figuring out how to do such a trial.

[wemorgan]

You can begin to equate a cost per second saved. I'm still in the zone where training gives me more bang for my bucks.

[sharonjeths]

I feel like this title is biased... It already implies a cheap shoe cannot be a "super" shoe. It also makes it feel like your sponsor ON didn't want you to call their shoes "expensive"

[deanb]

Be interesting to see how the super shoes compare with the type of shoe most 'general' amateur runners would use. something like the Brooks Ghost say.

[alexandrubadulescu]

The test sounds flawed from the start, you would see a big difference between those crappy cheap shoes and a decent pair. I think a way better test would be between an entry-level ON shoes (just to keep the same brand) and the carbon ones...

[itarry]

Hmm not suggesting anything but sponsers most expensive trainer against cheap "running" trainer... Wonder what you'll say. 😏

[THX-wcjo]

Yay Sam! Love to see you presenting! Hope you guys sprayed those shoes before trading LOL! Would love to see a more 'real' comparison between expensive carbon shoe vs. mid-level running shoe most of us out here are wearing ~$100 - Hoka/Brooks/Asics/New Balance etc

[scottlawson]

Why not compare with a runner that an intermediate athlete would use? A much fairer comparison than this one. Would a comparison between a carbon fibre bike and a Brompton be a fair bike comparison?

[ceciliabidwell]

Sam is a really great addition to this channel! This was a fun video. Probably would have preferred a comparison within the same brand, e.g. Nike Vaporfly v. Pegasus (or non carbon flat like Zoom Streak) as the difference might not have been as stark. Definitely agree based on personal experience that carbon plated shoes offer a significant advantage that didn’t exist before. I would have preferred that the technology was disallowed from competition at the start (e.g. around the time of the 4%) but you can’t put it back in the box now. I do think that world records, etc. (and even personal bests) need to be restarted or considered in a different category as the difference is that significant. I think of super shoes v. Non carbon plate as Kind of like a wetsuit v. Non wetsuit swim. A wetsuit makes almost everyone faster but it also varies from person to person how much faster.

[jamiefuhrman]

Nice to have you back Sam! Was wondering if you were going to be in more videos

[lfoster]

Sponsor's expensive race shoe better than the cheap one. Well blow me down, flabber my gast. I'd never have guessed...;

[gregrussell]

Looking forward to some more scientific testing...one suggestion though, how about including the budget shoe AND a midpriced or expensive shoe (with no carbon plate), alongside the super shoe with a carbon plate. Regardless of how much better a super shoe might turn out to be, the cost is going to make many people choose and or stick with the tried and true midrange/upper range model that they have been wearing for years.

[rogga]

Odd choice to go for a 'cheap' shoe that does not advertise itself specifically as a running shoe - you could have gone to Lidl and tried their Crivit range, which they claim as a specialist running brand and who's shoes start at around £15.

[bitamois]

I noticed there are carbon insoles for running. How would the super shoe stack up to the sollomensis with those?

[dctrbrass]

Back in my racing days I loved Ascics' great shoes for training -- extra weight and GREAT support for putting all the miles in, on those conditioning runs. And Nike had amazing, light racing shoes :) Things have changed SO much. And they're SO much more expensive now. In the 90s I used to buy a great quality racing or training shoe for $50-$60.

[D.A.T.J.]

This video was very informative.

Can y’all do an On CloudMonster (or whichever is supposed to be the best On Cloud super runner now) VS Alphafly?

I’m trying to decide which shoe, I’m probably gonna definitely go with the Alphaflies, when I can afford them,
I’m just curious to the actual comparison,
By legit runners

[carolynpiper]

Why not use a fixed heart rate and or running power to compare the shoe

[DigininjaRobin]

Years ago I was driving up to run the Great North Run with a mate. We got to Newcastle when I had a very clear vision of my trainers sitting by the kitchen door with the socks in them. I looked at my mate and swore. It was 9:30 on a Saturday night so even 24 hour supermarkets were closing soon. We found the nearest Tesco and I grabbed the only trainers they had, Tesco Basics and the same level socks.

I wasn't a dedicated runner like I am now, so there may have been some small differences, but by the end, my feet felt fine and I don't think they affected my performance any. I donated them to charity next day so I didn't run in them again to see if they lasted.

I still worry about forgetting my shoes going to every race.

[Startrek]

LOL may be could do with a high end non carbon shoe compared to super shoe with carbon plate? May be even closer ? After all if racing some people will look at say high end $130 as opposed to super shoe $200+ can't do pounds so dollar sign!