The ‘spray-on’ shoes that could transform marathon running
The Cloudboom Strike LS running shoe is being touted as a potential gamechanger.
It has been taken up by Kenyan athlete and silver medallist Hellen Obiri, who won the Boston Marathon this year, as well as being embraced by other athletes, such as middle-distance runners Olli Hoare and Luke McCann.
So, what is the secret of its appeal?
The ‘spray on’ running trainer originally caught the attention of Zurich-based sportswear brand ON at the Milan Design Fair, where they spotted an opportunity to take it to the sports market.
The shoe is biomechanically engineered with a thermoplastic upper section spray coated and branded within just three minutes. It is attached to a carbon-fibre and foam rubber sole with heat instead of glue.
This is said to add more dynamism and flexibility to a product whose men’s size 8.5 weighs 170 grammes per shoe - over 100 grammes lighter than most trainers.
The ‘spray on’ shoe is moreover as conspicuous for what it doesn’t include. There are no laces, heel-cap or tongue, and it has been described as a translucent shoe that resembles a sock. ON claim the LightSpray technology used in manufacture reduces carbon emissions by 75% compared to rival products.
The company is planning to market the shoe at a pop up in Paris before it goes on sale to the wider public later in the year.
If you’re interested in improving your running performance, contact online running coach Maximum Mileage Coaching today.
