How Running Shoes Are Made | The Testing & Development Of On Running Shoes

Fraser is in Zurich to meet Bart Aernouts at On's headquarters and test out the latest running shoes they have to offer. Find out how running shoes are made along with the testing and development process that gets a new shoe to market!

In association with On Running.

A running shoe doesn’t just arrive in a box ready to go off the shelf in the store. Indeed, there is a small army of people involved in the entire process from start to finish. And key to that process, are the professional athletes themselves that train and race in the shoes.

In fact, their specific feedback is fundamental in the continual development and improvement of the products that these companies are selling on the market which in turn has a trickle-down effect for you guys - the customers.

So today we’ve been invited by Bart Aernouts, 2nd place finisher at Ironman Hawaii in 2018, and our channel partner On, to get an insight into the nuts and bolts of that shoe design process, as Bart discusses the shoes with them, here at their headquarters and testing facility in Zurich.

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[HouseGuide]

Where can I have a custom shoe made to my specifications which are:
1. B width
2. 6 ounces in weight. Please do not even talk about heavy shoes. They are almost impossible to run fast in and feel miserable.
3. Eyelet lacing at proper distance apart about a half inch when fully tied. Many people don't even tie their shoe laces because they are so uncomfortable.
4. No soft memory foam shoe. I don't want to step down and have the shoe give way extra like I was running in mud.
5. I would like a double eyelet hole system. Eyelets inside and outside for more optional adjustments. A few soccer shoes have this and it works great.
6. No thick soles. A runner absolutely needs stability when he plants his foot. So the standard totally insane way they make shoes now with the thick foamy shoes make the shoes completely unstable.
7. I need a minimal soled shoe for lightweight and stability. When I step down I don't want my foot moving to the right of left. And I see other runners feet moving around after they plant. That is a big invitation for foot and knee problems.

8. Finally, can't I just help create a shoe for some company if I can't get them custom made.

[kimfraser-rybinski]

To be fair you would need to look at the same process for Asics, Reebok, Saucony and the Ironman brand Hoka which is smashing the long distance race scene... and to be even fairer you would need to see how they all compare after the average use of 500klms. Crucially, shoes are like perfume; one smell definitely does not suit all and with all those age-groupers who don't run light and fast like the pros, a heavier shoe might be more suitable.

[NiallC]

Is that Laid Denko at 3:12 ? If so what's his role with On/Bart Aernouts??

[SpacelyRockets]

Who is the woman in the video doing the testing with Bart?

[Prettorian]

I didn't expect I would be watching a Chris Ramsay video

[aslam]

There are lots of runners who won gold and broke records at the Comrades Marathon in Maxed shoes that can be bought for +-$30. Being lightweight, comfortable and durable is all that matters. They should be testing for weight and durability after 100s of km.

[jeffbrunton]

So what shoes does Bart actually race


Would be good to

[AS-ReHMn]

Well, a pro athlete testing new shoes after a few kilometers. That really must be a piece of valuable information... On the other hand, I was ready to provide feedback after 800-1000km running to different models of one brand I am using, but nobody cares...

[liammadridista]

It's a shame because on have great shoes but this year they seem to have alot of durability issues

[ondrabarton]

Hi GTN, are you looking for new editor or camera operator? I make videos like you. My latest video is: Van Der Poel wins European Championships.