Super cushioned sneakers, once the preserve of marathon runners, have become a fashion staple, spotted on celebrities like Aubrey Plaza, Harry Styles, and Zendaya. The trend, driven by a desire for practical functionality, has seen technical sportswear move from the track to the street, according to streetwear reporter Lei Takanashi of the Business of Fashion.
Hoka, a leading brand in this category, has collaborated with fashion houses such as Marni and Comme des Garçons to elevate the shoes among style-conscious consumers. The rise of running club culture has also fuelled the trend, says Lucila Saldana of trend forecaster WGSN. She notes that the staying power of the trend is tied to deeper behavioural shifts, with brands like Hoka and On positioning the shoes as symbols of a wellness-driven lifestyle.
John DiZane, senior director of buying at Foot Locker in Australia, says customers demand innovation, including responsive foam, high stack heights, and carbon or nylon plates. Many consumers now wear high-performance sneakers daily, not just for running. Nike pioneered the lightweight 'super shoe' with the ZoomX Vaporfly 4% in 2017, featuring a carbon-fibre plate that reduces energy loss. Eliud Kipchoge wore modified Vaporflys in his sub-two-hour marathon in 2019, and nine of the ten fastest marathon times have been achieved with super shoes.
However, experts warn of potential drawbacks. Eoin Doyle, an exercise physiologist at Macquarie University, cautions that high midsoles can decrease lateral stability, increasing the risk of ankle rolls. Daniel Bonanno, Associate Professor in podiatry at La Trobe University, notes that not all foamy sneakers are the same; some have wider bases and denser foams for better stability. While trampoline-like foam can reduce foot pressure, it may worsen issues for people who pronate or supinate, as the foam collapses over time.
Doyle also highlights that the lightweight construction often compromises durability, with some carbon-fibre plated styles lasting only around 500km. Ali Ball of Runner's World UK adds that research suggests the foams in super shoes lose their performance edge more quickly than daily trainers, citing a 2023 study from the University of Castilla-La Mancha that found Eva foam, used in Hoka and On shoes, retained its properties but with some degradation.
