In the article “Smart Running Shoes: Will They Change The Way You Run”, Lin (2017) claims that the advancement of smart technology in running shoes can enhance user’s performance. In 2012, popular sports brand such as UnderArmour (UA) released their UA Speedform Gemini 2 smart shoe which can display data such as muscle exhaustion, “cadence and pace” and monitor the “shoe’s mileage” through a mobile app, MapMyRun. In 2017, Altra smart shoes took it up a notch by not only making their footwear stylish, but also implementing sensors that detect irregular foot patterns and warn users through their “built-in” sole voice assistant to correct their footsteps and pacing. Lin also mentions that the voice assistant can encourage runners and avoid runners from any cumulative injury. On top of that, the shoe compromises breathability and feathery features that enhance user's comfortability. Smart running shoes have smart features that detect runners foot pattern and provide feedback to make runners less prone to injury. However, considering the price point on the higher end as compared to normal running shoes and it is unpopular option for general consumer to own a smart running shoe hence drifting consumer away.
Typically, purchasing a smart shoe will never cross a general consumer’s mind due to little knowledge of the technology. From Gizmodo website, Song mentions that “But if you’re a casual runner who knows the basics and your running shoes aren’t in dire need of replacement? Whatever you’ve got is probably fine.” Song compares smart shoes with smart watches such as “an Apple Watch, Garmin tracker, or Fitbit” and calls them “not all that special” as both smart technologies have same smart features which track “distance,
pace, splits, cadence, and stride length”. Also, by comparing a smart watch and a smart shoe lifespan, smart shoe is more likely to be replaced more frequent due to wear and tear from running.
As compared to normal running shoe, smart shoe is too pricey while featuring smart features which smart watch has currently in the market. A pair of smart shoe cost ranging USD$150 to USD$220 at least twice as expensive as a regular running shoe. For that price tag runners are getting what they paid for, the smart features. But for frequent runners, their shoe’s sole will wear out quicker and thus runners will have to replace them. From quartz website, Bain stated that a typical running shoe is expected to have a lifespan of “450 miles of use”. Therefore, it is not budget friendly as runners are expected to change a for a new pair from time to time.
Runners have been fighting against the menace of injury constantly. Although smart shoes assist in correcting runners foot pattern allow runners less prone to injury, eventually everyone has different running style and from their experiences they can figure out their preferred technique to run. Ross from sportsscientists website claims “the prospect of simply ‘learning’ a new running technique which makes you faster and less injury prone is too good to be true”. From Gizmodo website, Song comments that beginners whom have no clue about cadence or stride, investing in a smart running shoes might prevent them from injuries to a certain extent. In contrast, a regular runner whom is experienced and skilled with their running techniques can prevent common foot injuries.
Ross also mentioned that “runners who ran in shoes costing more than $95 actually were twice as likely to get injured than runners who ran in shoes costing only $40!” Due to its high cost and how frequently the shoes are worn for running, it will eventually require a replacement and this result in exceeding budget. In addition, smart running shoes can reduce injuries with the feedback to correct runners foot pattern but sustaining to injury is inevitable. All in all, smart running shoe being able to change runner’s running method is highly controversial.
Reference
Lin, N. (2017, 09 20) Smart Running Shoes: Will They Change The Way You Run? Retrieved and adapted from https://www.runsociety.com/opinions/smart-running-shoes-will-theychange-the-way-you-run/
Song, V. (2019, 02 05) I Thought Under Armours' Smart Running Shoes Were Gonna Be Dumb as Hell, But I Was Wrong Retrieved and adapted from
Ross. (2008, 03 04) Running shoes: Solution or problem? Retrieved and adapted from https://sportsscientists.com/2008/03/running-shoes-solution-or-the-problem/
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