Research Says
A new study, “The Impact of Advanced Footwear Technology on the Performance and Running Biomechanics of Mountain Runners” by Pedro Corbí-Santamaría and colleagues (2025), examined whether advanced footwear technology (AFT) improves mountain running performance. Testing 12 experienced male mountain runners on a 5.19 km course, researchers compared conventional trail shoes with AFT models across uphill, downhill, and mixed terrain. Unlike road running, where AFT shoes have demonstrated clear benefits, this study found no significant performance or physiological advantages in mountain running.
Why It Matters
While carbon-plated shoes with advanced foam technology have revolutionized road racing by improving running economy and facilitating faster times, their benefits don’t necessarily transfer to mountain terrain as documented in this first study to examine AFT in a mountain running context. The biomechanical changes brought about by AFT shoes — decrease in step frequency (particularly noticeable in uphill and downhill sections) and increase in vertical oscillation — appear to be counterproductive on technical terrain where precise foot placement and stability are crucial.
Applied Insights
- AFT shoes showed no performance benefits across any terrain type (uphill, downhill, or mixed), suggesting traditional trail shoes remain a viable choice for mountain running.
- Downhill performance metrics specifically declined with AFT shoes, with both fastest kilometer time and maximum power output decreasing during descents.
- AFT shoes were consistently rated as less flexible than conventional shoes, particularly in the forefoot area, which could affect agility on technical terrain.
- The biomechanical changes (reduced step frequency, increased vertical oscillation) were most pronounced during uphill and downhill sections, where technical terrain demands are highest.
I’m Thinking
We know road AFT shoes are unsuitable for rocky and variable terrain due to their lack of flexibility, which is why runners avoid them on trails. We also know that trail AFT shoes are evolving in ways that are making them more effective for those conditions. I would have liked the paper to provide more details on the specific AFT models tested to help contextualize the findings within the rapidly evolving landscape of AFT trail shoes. The researchers controlled for weight and heel drop between conventional and AFT shoes, which reflects good experimental design but may have masked important differences that otherwise would favor AFT technology over traditional shoes. AFT trail shoes are generally lighter than their traditional counterparts, and this is an important difference in and of itself that could be meaningful for performance. Trail-specific AFT shoes also incorporate modified plate designs that enhance agility and ground feel compared to road AFT models. Without knowing these technical specifications, it’s unclear whether the models tested fully represented the latest advancements in AFT trail shoes.
While the study focuses on performance metrics, in my mind the recovery benefits of AFT — lessening the wear and tear on the musculoskeletal system — is a key advantage that’s just as important as any potential performance benefits. To be fair, exploring this aspect of AFT was beyond the scope of this study, but it leaves open an important question that I hope future studies focused on AFT trail shoes will examine. Previous research on AFT road shoes has found blood markers of muscle damage and inflammation to be lower in experimental groups wearing AFT over traditional shoes (Kirby et al. 2019) — benefits that could be particularly valuable in mountain running, especially in ultratrail running where recovery benefits might become more apparent over longer distances and across multiple days of use.
AFT development for mountain running is still in its early stages, and I anticipate future advancements that better balance the trade-offs between stability and flexibility to meet the demands of trail and mountain running. That said, the study authors deserve recognition for pioneering research on AFT in this context, shifting the focus beyond its long-standing emphasis on road running. I look forward to further studies that will continue expanding our understanding of AFT in mountain running.
References
Corbí-Santamaría, Pedro, Marina Gil-Calvo, Alba Herrero-Molleda, Juan García-López, Daniel Boullosa, and José Vicente García-Tormo. 2025. “The Impact of Advanced Footwear Technology on the Performance and Running Biomechanics of Mountain Runners.” Applied Sciences 15 (531). https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020531
Kirby, Brett Sean, Elizabeth Hughes, Michelle Haines, Sarah Stinman, and Brad J. Winn. 2019. “Influence of Performance Running Footwear on Muscle Soreness and Damage.” Footwear Science 11 (sup1): S188–89. DOI: 10.1080/19424280.2019.1606325.
