Retro Vs. Modern | How Much Difference Do Running Shoes Make?

In association with ON Running.

Technology has clearly moved on pretty far since the 1980's, but how much difference does this actually make to your running speed? Can you run as fast in a pair of shoes from the 80's as you can in a pair of top-end modern shoes?

Can you run in any pair of running shoes, even a low-tech, old school pair? Mark and Mark performed a number of different tests to find out what the difference between a modern pair of shoes and a classic pair from the 80's actually is.

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[robbchastain]

You could go faster in the old shoes with a mix cassette in a Walkman.

[emmathejohnston]

Easily the best GTN video yet. Glad to see the presenters have shaken off the stiffness and awkwardness of being newbies. Looking forward to more of this relaxed silliness that shone through in this video.

[Willjcbaker]

Trimming the aspect ratio in the opening scene was brilliant. 10/10. Would watch again.

[andrewhsien]

The opening is just too hilarious!
Great work guys.

[panzerveps]

Loving the synthwave tracks in this video!

[VesKapeMoto]

Love that 'New Wave' vibe on this vid! Mark really brings the humour in. Gotta love his addition the team! Hoping to see videos where the three of you guys are on it!

[iAmIronMan]

Are we all going to ignore the elephant in the room? GTN is sponsored by ON

[IanLoughead]

I know people love the Ons but my pair always picks up rocks. Really though, running form is the most important factor. If your run form is bad, fancy shoes will only help so much.

[SaqerAlKhalifa]

Talk to DC Rainmaker so he can hook you up with some running power meters for better results.

[xGshikamaru]

One thing though, as much as I like newer shoes, they also wear off way faster. Of course you can't have it light and flexible and expect it to last as long as your old 20yo shoes. But not only are they more expensive, in terms of price per mile it's even worse. Think of it when you're going to get a $£€160 pair of shoes

[danielpollard]

Omg im 13 and i got those hi tec silver shadows a few weeks ago. Im in shock rn

[lg.studio]

this video is awesome. the music. the shoe-swapping cut.

[xGshikamaru]

Hahaha the soundtrack is so perfect for this, typical early 90s synth sound cliché, also reminds me of Tour de France jingles back just imitate Phil Liggett's voice and you're there ^^, it was just missing the electric piano from a Yamaha DX7 :D great job whoever did that

[tomhunt]

My first running shoes were Silver Shadows. I used to twist my ankle in them all the time because of how rigid they were. Bought some vivobarefoot shoes and never looked back.

[phillwhitlam]

Great banter guys with some good balanced arguments. Not sure the McEnroe look will come back anytime soon.

[Enjoylife]

Lol the silver shadows remind me of basic training in the army

[jonathanzappala]

I don't think Mark's close are that out of date. Haha what does that say about me.

[conorverbruggen]

I go out for all my runs looking like 80's Mark, personally I feel there's a benefit.

Also, please fit the tri-bars in the background of the studio

[meunbe]

A lot more ankle flex for both runners in the old school sneaks

[jweezy]

So my guess is that we are all going to ignore what was happening in 0:09?